Hello All,

I finally got a chance to go in the Sears Van Dorn on Reservoir Rd.
What a treasure!  Found lots of original fixtures, La Tosca hardware,
even the original french doors.  Check out the pics.

Ersela

Hello All,

I just posted new pictures to the group of the Sears Americus on
Beckley Ave.  What a beautiful home!  Very nearly original, including
some light fixtures, built-ins and flooring.  Take a look and enjoy!

Ersela

Hello All,

I went looking for kit houses today and found a Liberty Ready-cut Home
in Sophia, WV.  Pictures have been posted. The owner even had all the
original paperwork and blueprints!

I don't know much about Liberty except that they were a kit house
company.  Anyone have any info on this?  Help would be appreciated.

Signed,

Ersela

Rose,

Thanks for your insight on the house in Beaver Heights.  I was guessing
the Starlight, too, but there were a few differences.  The dormer is
different than the plan I have and there is no window in the side of
the living room.  But of course, these changes could have been made.  I
will contact the owners after the holidays to determine if it is an
actual Sears House.

There are several of these houses in that neighborhood and other areas
of Beckley.

Thanks again!

Ersela

But it looks like the house in "beaver heights" is a Sears Starlight.
THat's just a guess, based on these photos, but the two windows in the
back bedroom and the wee tiny shed dormer are suggestive of that.

Rose

Hello All,

Just posted some photos of houses in the Beaver Heights Addition.
These are the two on either side of Bill and Karen Goodwin, who own
Bosco Supply Co.  I know there are several Sears Kit Houses in this
neighborhood, according to Bill File, Jr., whose father built them.

Does anyone know what model these are?

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Ersela

Rose,

Welcome! So glad you made it!  Thanks for all the beautiful photos and
the link to your article.  Hopefully it will make it a little easier
for those who don't know what to look for.

Feel free to drop by anytime with tips or advice, as we consider you
the foremost expert in kit homes.

Can't wait to see you here in Beckley!

Ersela

BTW- is there a problem with your web site?  I can't seem to get the
page to load.

Wow, I can finally post. :)

I'd like to share a link to a couple articles I've written that should
be helpful.

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Sears-Kit-Home

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Kit-Homes

And I'd love to post some photos. I'll see if I can figure out how to
do that now. :)

Great group!

Rose Thornton
author, The Houses That Sears Built

Wow, I can finally post. :)

I'd like to share a link to a couple articles I've written that should
be helpful.

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Sears-Kit-Home

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Kit-Homes

And I'd love to post some photos. I'll see if I can figure out how to
do that now. :)

Great group!

Rose Thornton
author, The Houses That Sears Built

Hey Dave,

Sorry we missed you.  The library was closed due to the snow, so we
moved the meeting to Arby's.  I waited at the library till after
6:00.  You should have called me.

We now have a new member in our little group, which I think will be a
great addition.  Welcome, Eileen!

I will let everyone know when the next meeting is scheduled.

Ersela


--- In Beckley_Kit_Homes@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <wv.hiker@...> wrote:
>
> Rescheduled due to snow? I was disappointed to find the library
> closed. Can't wait for the next meeting.
>
> --- In Beckley_Kit_Homes@yahoogroups.com, "sonshine290"
> <chaser911@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > There will be a meeting of Kit Home Enthusiasts at 6:00 PM on
> > Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Raleigh County Public
Library .  We
> > encourage anyone interested in the Kit homes of Beckley to
attend.
> >
> > We look forward to seeing you there!
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Ersela
> >
>

Rescheduled due to snow? I was disappointed to find the library
closed. Can't wait for the next meeting.

--- In Beckley_Kit_Homes@yahoogroups.com, "sonshine290"
<chaser911@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> There will be a meeting of Kit Home Enthusiasts at 6:00 PM on
> Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Raleigh County Public Library .  We
> encourage anyone interested in the Kit homes of Beckley to attend.
>
> We look forward to seeing you there!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ersela
>

Hello All,

I have added a link to an article by Rosemary Thornton on tips to
identifying Sears Houses.

Check it out!

Ersela

Hello All,

There will be a meeting of Kit Home Enthusiasts at 6:00 PM on
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Raleigh County Public Library .  We
encourage anyone interested in the Kit homes of Beckley to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Ersela

Hi All,

We have authenticated another of these little beauties in Beckley.  It
is the Sears Oak Park.  Pictures have been added to the group.

Thanks, Tom, for all your help.  Don't you just love a "treasure hunt?"

Sincerely,

Ersela

Great pics, Ersela!
--- In Beckley_Kit_Homes@yahoogroups.com, "sonshine290"
<chaser911@...> wrote:
>
> Hi There,
>
> Just wanted to let you know I have posted new pictures to the group.
> Actually went inside the Cornell today and these are some examples of
> what we found. No doubt about it, this is a Sears Kit Home.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Ersela
>

Hello All,

Thanks, Tom, for sharing this video about Rosemary Thornton, better
known as the Sears Lady.

From KETC, LIVING ST. LOUIS Producer Anne-Marie Berger takes a look at
the history of Sears homes, ready-to-assemble houses available nearly
100 years ago in the Sears Roebuck catalogue. In 1908, these kit homes
were offered in 370 styles and ranged in price from $50 to $5000.
Families who selected a Sears home saved 1/3 the price it would cost to
buy an already assembled, or 'normal', house.

Click on this link, or copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uPy36IxoLY

Enjoy!

Ersela

Hi There,

Just wanted to let you know I have posted new pictures to the group.
Actually went inside the Cornell today and these are some examples of
what we found. No doubt about it, this is a Sears Kit Home.

Enjoy!

Ersela