I recently ran across this house on Zillow. It looks a lot like a kit house sold by Sears called the Osborn. The house was offered from 1916 to 1929 and seems to have been a popular model for them. I’m not sure if the house below is an Osborn, but if not it was definitely inspired by it. There are several differences between it and the house depicted in Sears’ period advertising. Take a look at the following catalog pages and compare them to the realtor’s photos which follow. What do you think?
The Osborn as depicted in a 1921 catalog. The colonnade is very stylish! Image courtesy of the Winterthur Library via Archive.org
The floor plan shows a porch off the dining room… a very attractive feature. Image courtesy of the Winterthur Library via Archive.org
The following images, except the last one, were taken from zillow.com:
The roof lacks the Japanese-influenced flair seen on most Osborns, but that could easily have resulted from alterations made when the roof was replaced. The beams here differ in placement and in the fact that they have shaped ends.
This house has a window to the left of the porch rather than a chimney.
The dining room’s built-in buffet is nice, but very different from the one on the Sears floor plan.
French doors are shown in the living room opening into a bedroom – also not on the floor plan.
The door to the dining room’s porch may be seen at right. Sadly, there is no colonnade in the opening.
A bedroom. Wall sconces appear to be original.
The bathroom plan mirrors the floor plan.
A view of the dining room’s porch.
Here is another house I ran across recently. I wish now that I had taken more photos as I am more confident that this is more likely to be a legitimate Osborn than the one above. Maybe they both are… thoughts, anyone?
Though drastically altered and mired in plastic siding, this house has a fireplace where it should be.
It certainly does appear to be an adapted, or inspired version, although the large number of small differences does suggest wasn’t actually from Sears. Unless there were significant changes adopted in a different year’s plan offering, it seems unlikely that a pre-packaged kit would be altered that much.
Wow, that second one has suffered many indignities! Removal of the defining eave brackets, appropriate windows, front door, columns, etc. The shape is still recognizable, though.
Our home is very similar to the Osborne in looks and layout, but isn’t. For starters, it was built in 1912. I’d love to find more info on it though.
These Osborns or maybe-Osborns are tough!
The first one I would say no–too many variances and I don’t know what that buffet/chair is but it’s not Sears. The second one–exterior has been changed so much I think we need to see the inside to make an assessment.
Thanks Seth and Lara for your input! I’ll probably eventually lump these two in with the list of copycat houses I’m compiling for a future post. And I may just go knock on the door of that last house… I’m really curious!
We just bought a house in Suffolk, VA and found out it is an Osborn, Sears Catalog home. I think you can still see the pictures on Zillow (121 Oakdale Terrace, Suffolk, VA). A lot of the old architectural elements are still there. I’m so excited.
Congratulations! Here’s a link to the Zillow listing. The neighborhood has loads of character, too!