by Architectural Observer | Sep 13, 2017 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
I’ve been fascinated by house plan books and catalogs for as long as I can remember and “The Books of a Thousand Homes” is particularly riveting. Published in 1923 by an entity calling itself The Home Owners Service Institute, the book contained...
by Architectural Observer | Sep 10, 2017 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
A 1923 Harris Brothers Company catalog includes an attractive Craftsman style house with a rather lackluster name: No. N-1026. The house was offered with clapboard or shingled siding, and a reversed floor plan as an option. The Aladdin Company sold a nearly...
by Architectural Observer | Sep 6, 2017 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
More than a century has passed since the Harris Brothers Company first offered a kit house which today is both admired and disparaged. Known variously over the years as Design No. 6, No. K-2013, and No. J-6, the kit house had a facade which continues to evoke a...
by Architectural Observer | Sep 4, 2017 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
For well over a century, the Garlinghouse Company has been publishing house plans. While I’m especially partial to their mid-20th century designs, the older ones also have merit. Below is plan number 1067 from the 1920’s… the house shown in the...
by Architectural Observer | Aug 2, 2017 | Blog, Observations
Here are a few interesting church buildings from the mid-20th century which have not been completely altered beyond recognition. They’re rather tame for many locations, but here in flyover country they undoubtedly pushed the envelope when first built. ...
by Architectural Observer | Jul 31, 2017 | Blog, Observations
Five random structures with something goofy about them:
