A Neglected Sears House in Harvey

Harvey was once a beautiful, thriving city. Today it has one of the highest crime rates in the state, and its unemployment and poverty rates are among the suburbs' highest. To cap it off, the city is financially insolvent.

Taking a look around Harvey today, you can see glimpses of what it once was.  You'll see mature trees, expansive yards, wide streets, and some large historic houses--some of which have seen better days.  You'll also see abandoned homes, empty lots, trash, and a crumbling infrastructure.

119 E. 155th St., Harvey. Capture from Google Streetview.

87 E 155th St., Harvey. This 1910 house was designed by Tallmadge & Watson. Photo from Realtor site.

15211 Ashland Ave., Harvey. Photo from Realtor site.

Scan from Google Streetview.

Photo from Realtor site.

Built in 1937 and 2,775 square feet, according to the county.  Photo from Realtor site.

15440 Vine Ave., Harvey. This house originally had a tile roof. Capture from Google Streetview.

There are more than one thousand vacant and abandoned properties in Harvey. Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

262 W. 148th Place, Harvey. Someone loved this little cottage once. Capture from Google Streetview.

Harvey is also a town where many kit houses die. This Sears No. 264P205 bungalow that sits on a lovely block in Harvey recently went under contract... will it be saved?

181 E 150th St., Harvey. Photo from Realtor site.

Sears Modern Home No. 264P205, from the 1916 catalog. Scan from Daily Bungalow.

Another look from Google Streetview. This capture was from early 2018 and the house looks to be in better shape than it is now.

Photo from Realtor site.

That light fixture dates from the early 1970's I bet. Photo from Realtor site.

Dining room. The built-in china buffet is gone. Photo from Realtor site.

One of the bedrooms. Photo from Realtor site.

Don't step in the sinkhole. Photo from Realtor site.

This No. 264P205 was built between 1916-1918. The original owners were Albert and Emma Olson. At the time the house was built, Albert worked as a cement contractor for Ingalls-Shepard Forging Co. in Harvey.  Later he became a prominent real estate agent and developer.

By 1928 the Olsons sold the Sears house and moved to a bigger house on the same block.

There is hope for Harvey. In April of this year, Harvey elected a new mayor, Christopher Clark. Clark said, “I want you to know that the sun rises in the morning. Harvey can make it. No more corruption, no more civic disrespect, no more shakedowns, because it’s time for a new day here in the city of Harvey.”

Fingers crossed. The residents of Harvey deserve better.