Sears Kit House Spotlight Tuesday – The Americus

Sears Modern Homes catalog was first published in 1908. The 1913 volume featured 112 designs for homes for which homeowners could purchase a kit that was delivered with all the materials needed to construct the home. Later volumes offered up to 370 designs. Between 1908 and 1940, more than 70,000 of these Sears Kit Houses were built across America.

 

The Americus model might be called a mix of Italianate and Craftsman with an American Foursquare floor plan. Th eclectic style home offered loads of character with its Mediterranean tile roof married with Craftsman brackets and porch columns on battered piers.

 

Already cut and fitted, the Americus sold for $2,286 in 1926. Per its catalog ad,  it was touted as a “fine two-story home that any American can be proud of and be comfortable in. It is a dignified, substantial house that will stand out among its neighbors and never go ‘out of style.’ The rooms of the Americus are all good size and well lighted and ventilated. Lots of big closets just where needed, and a kitchen that will save a great many steps.”

First Floor

The first floor boasted a broad front porch, 26 feet by 8 feet. The 13 feet by 19 feet living room offered a coat closet and stairway. From the living room, one entered the dining room with its four big windows. Connecting the dining room was a swinging door to the kitchen which had a entrance to the dual entrance stairway to the second floor. All the rooms on the first floor had 9-foot ceilings.

 

Second Floor

Three bedrooms, a three-piece bathroom and several closets graced the second floor.

 

Here is a sampling of some Americus Sears Kit Homes still around today. Note: These are NOT for sale.