Sears Homes/Standard Addition
Standard Addition is the largest, concentrated collection
of Sears homes in the United States. Starting in 1917, the
population of Carlinville grew by one-third when Standard
Oil of Indiana opened two new mines. Due to an energy
shortage caused by WWI and a severe winter, the
company desperately needed a dependable supply of
coal for its refineries, which it found in the coal mines
south of the City. The sudden influx of hundreds of mine
employees and their families created a temporary housing
crisis. To alleviate the problem, Standard Oil officials
turned to an unusual source for quick, permanent
housing-the Sears & Roebuck catalog.
For the first time, customers could order home kits in a
variety of models through the famous mail-order catalog.
Eight different models in the "modest" variety (5 or 6
rooms on two floors) were selected for Standard Addition,
ranging in price from $3,000 to $4,000. Standard Oil
placed an order for 156 mail-order homes, which were
delivered by rail, and within the year, all 156 had been
erected. Today 152 of those original homes still stand,
making the 9-block Standard Addition neighborhood
the largest single repository of Sears Homes in the
United States. The neighborhood has been the subject
of several documentaries and has attracted the
attention of architects from around the globe.
While many homeowners have improved their Sears
houses over the years, the distinctive roof lines, windows
and porch arrangements help identify the original house
styles. Inside, a common feature of the homes is a
ceramic-tiled bathroom floor with an identical design
using a color scheme of white with blue, or white
with green.
For more information contact Laurie Flori: 217-854-9327