A Modernized Sears Ridgeland in West Chicago

805 E. Washington, West Chicago. Photo from Realtor site.

Sears Ridgeland.

An English cottage, the Sears Ridgeland was sold from 1933 to 1940. In earlier years, the same house was sold under the Maplewood nameplate.

This Sears Ridgeland in West Chicago was built in 1936. Interestingly, it has a Washington St address, and sits on the corner of Ridgeland Ave.

The house is missing the living room fireplace (optional for buyers) and the shutters. Two dormers have been added in the upstairs bedrooms. The house also has many replacement windows and aluminum siding instead of the original red cedar shingles.

The exterior dimensions are 24' x 28', and remain unchanged from the original floor plan. Photo from Realtor site.

Despite all the exterior changes, the rehabbed interior retains the original flow.

The front door leads to the living room. The dining room and kitchen are to the right. There is a first-floor bedroom that Sears said could be used as a den, library, or sun parlor. There were two additional bedrooms upstairs.

The vestibule has been integrated into the living room. Photo from Realtor site. 

Photo from Realtor site.

The walls between the dining room and living room have been removed.  The little hallway has been opened up so now you can see the stairs from the living room.  Photo from Realtor site.

 Photo from Realtor site.

As on the original floor plan, the door leads to the backyard and the basement stairs. Photo from Realtor site.

The first floor bedroom.  Photo from Realtor site. 

The bathroom is in the same location on the first floor. Photo from Realtor site..

One of the upstairs bedrooms with a new dormer that adds much-needed sunlight to the room. Photo from Realtor site.

Theodore A. and Florence Risch purchased the Ridgeland from Sears Roebuck in 1936. Theodore worked as an "advertising layout man" for Runkle, Thompson, Kovats, Inc., a Chicago printing company.

By 1950 they had moved to Antioch.