The monthly meeting for the Bulloch County Historical Society was held on Monday, January 22, at Pittman Park UMC Fellowship Hall. The program began at 11:30am, where the topic was "Sears & Roebuck Homes," and the presenter was Matt Hube.
What an exciting first meeting for 2024, ushering in a topic that a small majority of our of the guests were somewhat familiar with. Whether as owners, family members' homes, or visiting grandparents, a ‘Sears and Roebuck' home made contact in their lives.
Matt Hube grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and attended Walton High School. Matt attended Georgia Southern University for undergraduate school where he also played football, and then attended Mercer University for law school. After graduating from law school, Matt decided to return to Statesboro and practice law in 2000. Hube is a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney and Georgia DUI attorney. He is also an Officer of the Historical Society.
Our meeting had an almost packed house (approximately 100+ guests) and indeed it was both entertaining and informative beyond one's imagination.
Before this enlightening presentation, a delicious Buffet of Chopped Pork Barbecue, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Green Beans, Bread, and Sauces was served. Topped off for dessert was cheesecake ... Tasty!
Mr. Hube filled our heads with facts and information! He started his presentation with some enlightening historical facts about Sears.
- 1886: Richard Sears founded R.W. Sears Watch Company in Minneapolis, MN.
- 1887: Relocated to Chicago. Hired Alvah Roebuck to repair watches. First mail order catalog produced selling only watches and jewelry.
- 1893: Company became incorporated under the Sears, Roebuck and Co. name.
- 1895: Roebuck sells interest to Julius Rosenwald. Sears continues to write catalogs.
- 1896: First large general merchandise catalog offered.
Sears was involved in numerous industries, launching:
- Kenmore brand (1913)
- Encyclopedia Britannica (1920)
- Craftsman brand (1927)
- Allstate Insurance Company (1931)
Retail sales overtook catalog sales in 1931, and by 1945, sales exceeded $1 billion making them the largest retailer in the world.
In 1906, Sears became involved in the construction business. Now that's where our story begins with 'Kit Houses!’
In the early 20th century (1908), Sears, Roebuck and Co. sold thousands of mail order ‘Kit Houses’ from their first specialty catalog for houses, ‘Book of Modern
Homes and Building Plans.’
The homes were available in a variety of styles: multi-family homes,school buildings, duplexes, barns, mansions, and country stores, and ranging in prices from $360 to $2890. Sears was also involved in the mortgage business from 1911-1933, closing that side of the business in 1934.
A Sears & Roebuck house’s blueprints and building supplies were ordered from a specialty Sears catalog. These DIY ‘Kit Houses’ would arrive by boxcar or boxcars, weighing 25 tons and containing 30,000 parts including pre-cut lumber, for the homeowner or a contractor to arrange the construction. From 1908 - 1942, Sears sold more than 70,000 of these houses in North America. The homes were purchased primarily by customers on the East Coast, Midwest states, Florida, California, Alaska, and Canada.
The framing lumber was all pre-cut and labeled allowing the home builder to follow an instruction booklet to help in organizing the construction process. Included in the overall purchase were all elements needed for the home from lumber to roofing, wiring and plumbing, windows, door knobs, hinges, nails, screws, staircases and all the parts. Flooring, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, kitchen cabinets, ironing boards, window screens, window shades and light fixtures...you name it!
Many of these houses included the latest technology such as central heating, indoor plumbing, and electricity. Upgrades for flooring, trim wood, and any masonry items were purchased through Sears for an additional cost but obtained through a local supplier rather than being shipped by Sears. Sears homes had a sturdy structure that the ‘do-it-yourself' nature of construction and popular architecture design concept valued.
All Sears homes had original paperwork including:
- Blueprints and letters of correspondence from Sears
- Shipping labels on lumber
- Public records
- Stamped Lumber
What came next was exciting!! Statesboro has several of these DIY homes including three properties on Savannah Avenue:
- 325 Savannah Ave
- 327 Savannah Ave
- 329 Savannah Ave
You must check this out! Perhaps you know someone who lives or lived in one of these houses? Many of your relatives, friends, or neighbors may be familiar with the ‘Kit Houses’ and may have some very fond childhood memories to share.
Thank you BCHS for a very relatable program!
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