“This Two-Story Bungalow is Fast Becoming a Great Favorite…”
Do you like “quirky”? Then you’ll love this Sears House!
In the opening paragraph of the catalog page, the prosaic writers described Modern Home #124 as “a great favorite.”
It’s certainly one of my favorites - for so many different reasons!
For one, it’s very easy to identify. You’re not going to drive past this house without remembering it!
For another, in all my travels, it doesn’t have any “look-alikes.” In other words, I’ve not seen any similar designs offered by any other kit home companies (such as Aladdin, Lewis, Gordon Van Tine, Harris Brothers, Sterling, etc.), and I’ve not seen anything like #124 offered in any plan books.
And thirdly, it’s just an interesting house with some quirky (and lovable) features.
So take a look at the pictures below and tell me, have you seen this house? If so, send me a photo!
And according to the catalog, these houses have been built in Texarkana, Arkansas, Washington, DC, Greenwich, Rhode Island, Grand Rapids, Michigan,Montvale, New Jersey or Youngstown, Ohio. And if you’re in New York state, there were 124s built in Brooklyn, Dunkirk and New York city.
If you’re near those cities, I would love to see photos of our #124 today! 
To learn more about how to identify kit homes, click here.
From the 1916 catalog
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It was also featured in the Seroco Paint Catalog (Seroco - Sears Roebuck Company).
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Good floor plan - and spacious too.
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This bungalow was surprisingly large! And lots of closet space, too.
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As of 1916, it had been built in these cities. As of 1918, it was gone from the catalog.
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Here's a lovely #124 in Augres, Michigan. (Photo is coypright 2010 Dale Patrick Wolicki and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.)
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Sears Modern Home #124 in Taylorville, IL.
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#124 in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
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Same house in Crystal Lake, photographed in 2003.
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The 124 was first offered in the very first Sears catalog (1908). It apparently was a strong seller, and appeared in their catalogs under 1917. It was probably removed because it looked a little "dated" in 1918.
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UPDATE! Rachel Shoemaker - the indefatigable researcher - has found another #124 in Lincolnton, GA at the corner of Humphrey and Dallas. It sure would be nice to have a photo!! Anyone near Lincolnton?
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To read the next fascinating blog, click here.
To learn about Sears biggest and fanciest house, click here.
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The Mitchell-Parks House in Lincolnton, Ga is a Sears #124. Perhaps someone will go take photos for you
@Rachel Shoemaker
Rachel, you never cease to amaze me!! You’re a wonderful investigator! The amount of stuff that you can find online is just incredible! I’m still dazzled by all those court records your found! WOW!!!
Hi, We moved into house No 124 in Montvale, NJ this past year, and were amazed to find that so many others existed around the country!
It’s really cool to see what other people have done with the house.
I have a few pics of our house that I’d be happy to post, I’m just not sure exactly how to do so….
Hi Marguerite,
Please send me the photos! Send them to Rosemary.ringer@gmail.com and please include permission for me to publish them at the website.
Rose