Sears No. 215 in the Upper Peninsula

It's summertime, when many Chicagoans head to Michigan for vacation. Sears Homes of Chicagoland reader Larry Johnston was recently in Michigamme, Michigan and snapped some shots of an authenticated Sears model No. 215.

106 Railroad Street, Michigamme, MI. Photo courtesy of Larry Johnston.

Sears Model No. 215 from the 1914 catalog.

This model was offered from 1909 until 1917. The model number changed from No. 306 to No. 215 over those years. No. 215 was a Queen Anne style, and homes of that style began losing popularity around the turn of the century. In the 1918 catalog, Sears offered only three Queen Anne models, and No. 215 was one of the models that was discontinued.

This house was built between 1909 and 1913. The original owners were Peter and Anna Paquin. Peter was a mail clerk for the railroad. The Paquins needed a four-bedroom house to accommodate their two sons and Anna's mother.

A letter that Peter Paquin wrote to Sears was included in the 1914 Modern Homes catalog.

Peter and Anna Paquin at the back door of the house. Photo courtesy of Debbie Walsh.

The house appears to have the original siding. A new vestibule for the front door was built, but I'm not certain whether this was original to the house. The wraparound porch has been rebuilt.

The vestibule. Photo courtesy of Larry Johnston.

Historic photo of the house. Photo courtesy of Debbie Walsh.

The family relaxing at home in 1917.  Anna Paquin is at right. Note the colonnade opening. Photo courtesy of Debbie Walsh.

The "Grille" notation between the reception hall and the living room represents the colonnade covered by a decorative grill. Queen Anne styles were known for their large entry reception halls.

The Paquin family owned the house until just after Anna Paquin's death in 1971.

Update!
We have interior photos!