Documenting Your Own Mail Order House |
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Do
you think your house might have come from a catalog? It isn't always easy
to document a mail order house. The original floor plans may have been changed
or reversed, and additions or renovations may further alter the look of
a house. You may find clues, however, scattered among personal documents,
legal papers, or the house itself. If you suspect that your house may have
been a mail order house from Sears or one of the other manufacturers listed
in this website, follow the suggestions below for documenting your house.
Then contact us; we'd love to add your home to our exhibit!
1. Look for numbers or words stamped on beams, joists, rafters or any other exposed wood structures in the attic or cellar. 2. Look for blueprints or other paperwork tucked away in the attic or a closet. 3. Check building permits, mortgages, deeds, or other public records that could indicate a connection with Sears or one of the other mail order companies. 4. Look at online catalogs (such as those on our related websites page) or print catalogs (see the bibliography) to compare your house with catalog houses. Look for similarities in the roof line, floor plan, or location and spacing of doors, windows, or chimney. 5. Contact past owners or neighbors for their recollections. |
Houses In Libertyville |
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Documenting Your Own Mail Order House |
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| This website has been created by Arlene Lane and Sonia Schoenfield of the Cook Memorial Public Library, Libertyville, Illinois. ©2004 |