Memorial Day is just around the corner, and it looks like the weather is shaping up to be beautiful. Of course, Memorial Day is usually a great time to get together with family and friends and honor the fallen men and women of the Armed Forces.
But this Memorial Day, we have to protect our loved ones and ourselves from COVID-19 by curtailing unnecessary contact with persons outside of our homes. One great way to enjoy Memorial Day safely is to take a driving tour, visit the countryside, view your favorite spots, maybe park someplace where the view is spectacular. You can enjoy a radio program or audiobook with your family and stay socially distant from others.
You could also take your very own tour of the modular homes that Sears built in the early 1900s, up until the 1940s. This is a fun way to have a bit of adventure while remaining socially distant. You’ll be surprised how many modular homes were built by the Sears company. In fact, they had so much success that they went on to revolutionize the modular home industry in the 1970s.
How to Visit Sears Modular Homes
Lots of people enjoy searching for and seeing these rather special homes. You could easily make a whole day of searching out and visiting these unique homes. Finding these classic Sears homes can be a challenge. If you’ve found a home that you believe might be one of the modular homes that Sears built. There are a few steps you can take to check and see for sure. Here’s how;
1. First Verify the date of construction
If the home was built between the years 1908 and 1940, it could be a Sears modular home.
2. Check the floor plan
These classic Sears homes followed a few specific patterns. Looking at the archive, here, you may be able to spot the patterns. If the home in question matches them, it’s a possible candidate.
3. Notice the characteristic columns
Looking in the archive, you should be able to spot the characteristic columns with their five-piece eave brackets.
4. Note a square molding joint at the staircase
Sears homes also had a proprietary rectangular wood piece at the side of the stairs outside.
5. Check for stamped lumber on exposed beams
Any exposed wooden beams may have the marking “D655” on them. That’s a Sears beam from the period, and almost certainly identifies the house as a Sears house of the period.
6. Search for shipping labels
You might also find stamps that read “Sears Roebuck” on joists, beams, and rafters.
7. Check the plumbing for “SR” or “R.”
Be sure to inspect any accessible plumbing for the “SR” or “R” marks. That’s almost a dead giveaway.
9. Check Sheetrock backings for the “Goodwall” stamp
If you can find any openings in the sheetrock, you might check for stamps that read “Goodwall.”
If you detect any one of these markers, congratulations, there’s a good chance you’ve found a Sears modular home built between 1908 and 1940.
We hope you enjoy your Sears Modular home search. You’ll enjoy knowing which homes really are Sears modular homes, and which aren’t. You might even start a competition with your friends to see who can find the most modular houses that Sears built!
Please remember, do not trespass, enjoy the homes curbside. Information contained on/within this post is for informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be accurate.Supreme Modular makes assumes no responsibility for mistakes and/or omissions.
For more information on modular homes, visit Supreme Modular.