A Sears House Built by Montgomery Ward

Bowling Green State University plans to raze a historic house that currently serves as faculty offices. Four university presidents have lived in the house, which was expanded in 1950 to 5,125 square feet. Students and faculty are protesting the proposed demolition.

The house looks very much like a Sears Colchester model, but markings on attic lumber inside the house clearly indicate the house was from Montgomery Ward. Wards did not offer a model that looked like the Colchester.

Photo courtesy of the Toledo Blade.

Sears Colchester.

The most likely possibility is that the buyer contracted Montgomery Ward to build a custom house that looked very similar (if not identical) to the Sears Colchester. 

The house was purchased by a Virgil H. Taylor of Bowling Green. In the April 1930 census, Virgil, who was single, lived with his parents nearby. According to the local newspaper, in August 1930 Virgil was actively courting Virginia Smith who later became his wife. The mortgage for the house was issued in November 1931, but a photo has surfaced from October 1931.

Photo of the house from October 1931, courtesy of Virginia Taylor Combs (Virgil Taylor's daughter).

Virgil was working as the advertising manager for the local newspaper. 

With the demolition scheduled for the end of August, the details behind this home's construction may never be determined. There is an online petition you can sign to support saving the house. Who said you can't fight city hall (or Bowling Green State University)?

Update!
The house was demolished.

Update!
I found firm documentation the house was repossessed by Montgomery Ward in 1936.