A Sears Willard with a Facelift

An authenticated Sears Willard in Crystal Lake got a facelift and the new refreshed house was recently listed for sale. 

162 Rosedale, Crystal Lake. Photo from Realtor site.

Sears Willard. The one in Crystal Lake appears to have the original batten shutters. That may also be the original copper lantern above the door.

The Sears Willard was a one-and-a-half story English plan designed by architect David S. Betcone.

Photo from Realtor site.

 

The Willard was about 600 square feet on the first floor. The living room was generously sized at 14' 5" by 17' 5".

 

The Willard featured a corner fireplace. Photo from Realtor site.

 

Three large windows provided good ventilation. The floors in the living room and dining room were oak, and the floors in the kitchen and bathroom were maple. Photo from Realtor site.

 

Photo from Realtor site.

All new kitchen. The original kitchen cabinets were still there as recently as 1997. Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

Photo from Realtor site.

The Willard had a second story dormer in the back and a projection on the first floor. The projection was intended to accommodate the refrigerator and some cabinetry.  Today, it serves the same purpose. Photo from Realtor site.

The plaque is correct in that the house was built in 1928 by Frank and Frances Heath. Frank particularly liked the Willard because of the charming flower box in front. The couple got their financing from Sears Roebuck. 

According to the building permit, a local carpenter built the house for the Heaths, although the family also did some of the work themselves. When the house was being built over the summer, the Heaths and their two children lived in the garage. The Heath descendants have old photos showing the house's construction, and they still have the original blueprints.

The Heath family owned the house until 1983.