Wow! THREE Sterling Homes in Anderson, SC!
Recently I was visiting family in Pickens, South Carolina and whilst there, I drove more than 400 miles throughout the Western part of the state, seeking kit homes. Sadly, there are not many kit homes in this part of the country.
However, I did find one city in South Carolina that had several kit homes: Anderson, South Carolina.
And there in Anderson, I found not one but three (and possibly four) kit homes from Sterling Homes (based in Bay City). Better yet, one of those kit homes was Sterling’s crème de la crème - the Vernon.
This was their biggest and best kit home, and this was the first Sterling Vernon that I’ve ever found.
And it was a beauty!
I’d love to know if the owners of this house realize that they have a kit home!
And in addition to the Vernon, I also found a Van Dyke and a Ma Cherie, also from Sterling.
UPDATED: I’ve identified ANOTHER Sterling Home in Anderson! Click here to read the latest blog!!
To read about the OTHER kit homes I found in Anderson, check back in a few days. I’ll be adding those photos soon.
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The Sterling Vernon was featured on the cover of their 1928 catalog.
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The Vernon was their biggest, fanciest house.
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And according to this, it was the house of YOUR dreams!
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Do the owners of this "Vernon" know that they have a kit home?
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Close-up on the details.
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The Sterling Vernon as seen in the 1928 catalog.
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The Ma Cherie was a beautiful bungalow offered by Sterling. Pay attention to the details around the front porch.
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This house in Anderson is a spot-on match to the Sterling "Ma Cherie." And it's in beautifully original condition. Look at the details on the front porch. All the details are perfect.
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Another picture of the Ma Cherie in Anderson.
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The Van Dyke was another popular house for Sterling.
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Another beautiful match. This Van Dyke is less than two blocks from the Vernon.
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And this is frustrating! I saw this house in Anderson but neglected to get a photo! It was near the other kit homes shown above.
Updated! This house is at 2309 Edgewood Avenue in Anderson, SC. My kingdom for a photo of this house!!
And this house actually makes FOUR Sterling Homes in Anderson (so the blog title is now in error!).
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How did Anderson end up with so many kit homes from a small company in Bay City, Michigan? It’s a real mystery.
If you have any info to add, please leave a comment below.
To learn more about Sterling Homes, click here.
To learn more about Sears Homes, click here.
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There is a Sterling Vernon at 8434 N. Main Str. Angola, NY. Maybe a reader will see this and get a photo.
It is masquerading as a a Sears Magnolia, sigh.
My research shows it has been used as a funeral home for several years. http://www.latimoreschiavonefuneralhomeinc.com/
Ding Ding Ding! The expert on Sterling Homes says “you are correct!”
The houses above are located in the North Anderson Historic District in Anderson, South Carolina. This is a local and National Register Historic District. I have e-mailed you some additional details and pictures of the fourth house. Thank-you for your interest in Anderson.
@Jeffrey Guilbault
Jeffrey, may I use that photo on the website?
Sterling Homes catalog from1916 offered three versions of the Ma Cherie, A, B , and C.
By 1928 Sterling Homes offered a fourth version and smaller version of the Ma Cherie “D”. There is a Ma Cherie “A” at 2221 N. Vernon Str in Arlington, Va. and next door at 2229 and 2233 N Vernon are two Sterling Lawndale models.
The folks there think they are “Sears” homes. Well, they *thought*. They know now. The Lawndale at 2229 might even have a Sterling La Salle model garage.
I wonder if there are more Sterling homes in Arlington too?
@Jeffrey Guilbault
I found at least one more and possibly two more Sterling homes in that same neighborhood. At 416 Watson Ave there is a Lawndale and over a street at 509 Glenwood Ave is another Lawndale I *think*. That house and lot is more difficult to see.
Rachel, that’s incredible. Gosh, I’m sure I drove right past those houses and never noticed them!! We need someone to take photos!
@Sears Homes
And while they are at it have them get a photo of the house at 423 Central Ave, corner house. It is from Southern Pines out of New Orleans (1924) and it is model #3001