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| Sears Del Rey. |
Sears first sold the Del Rey bungalow in 1920. With its long windows, low-pitched crossing gables, and ornamental brackets, it is an example of the Spanish Revival style popular in the 1920's. And it happens to be one of my favorite Sears models.
The Del Rey was very similar to a house plan first sold by Pacific Ready Cut Homes in 1919 and Sears may have licensed the design from the same architect.
There are many Del Reys in the Chicago area, in towns such as Algonquin, Crete, Elgin, Homewood, Villa Park, and West Chicago. Let's take a closer look at some other Del Reys in the suburbs.
Highwood
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| 244 Washington Ave., Highwood. |
The Sears Del Rey came with two exterior options. A customer could choose a low-pitched roof over the front bedroom on the left side or a higher raised roof. The Del Rey in Highwood and every other Del Rey in Chicago has the higher raised roof.
This authenticated Del Rey was built in 1921. Mildred A. Shaw took out a mortgage of $3233 from Sears for the house. She was married to Augustus H.P. Shaw.
Naperville
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| 619 N. Ellsworth, Naperville. |
There are two Del Reys in Naperville. This one was built in 1922. R.W. Harding took out a mortgage of $4100 from Sears Roebuck in March of that year. Former owners have reported the existence of shipping labels in the house.
Here is the second Del Rey in Naperville.
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| 6 S. Huffman, Naperville. This Del Rey is reversed, which Sears Roebuck would do for no extra charge for most models. Photo from Realtor site. |
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| A clearer look at the side entrance. Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Note the original closet on the right side. Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
The original owner, Lester R. Myers, took out a mortgage from Sears Roebuck in May 1926 for $6,000. The current owner reports stamped lumber as well.
Wheaton
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| 917 E. Evergreen, Wheaton. This house was under contract in less than a week. Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| Photo from Realtor site. |
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| The front bedroom. Photo from Realtor site. |
This Sears Del Rey in Wheaton is authenticated. Martha C. Rupel took out a mortgage from Sears Roebuck for $5800 in November 1926.
1 comment:
Those are great examples! I did not know that the Del Rey was offered with the option of a higher front gable.
Heurtbise is the name of a major character in a famous avant garde 1950 French movie, based on the Greek story of Orpheus (the movie is called Orphée). Interesting to see that the owner of the Del Rey in Naperville had such a similar last name.
Judith
Sears House Seeker
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