February 25, 2025

A Tale of a Sears Oakdale

The Oakdale was a very popular model for Sears Roebuck. Sears said: "The Oakdale is a bungalow home of unusual charm. It is a masterpiece of one of America's best architects."

The Oakdale from the 1928 Sears Modern Homes catalog.


The Oakdale bungalow was sold from 1923 to 1933, and then made a triumphant return from 1936-1938 with a more modern look.

In 1926, Foster Weigel, who lived on Main Street in Barrington, took out a $4,500 mortgage from Sears Roebuck for a brand new Oakdale. He built it next to his house on property he owned. Foster never lived in the Oakdale himself, but sold it to other buyers.

113 Grant St., Barrington, as it looks today. The front porch was raised and has a railing instead of a wall. Photo from Realtor site.


A side view from Google Streetview. Obviously Foster did not buy the living room fireplace, and there is a new addition on the rear.



The rear addition and new walkout deck. Photo from Realtor site.


The Oakdale has an efficient floorplan and a large living room. There are two bedrooms in the rear, and the smaller of the two is only 8'8" wide!


Photo from Realtor site.


Photo from Realtor site.


Photo from Realtor site.


Photo from Realtor site.


Both bedrooms were expanded and now have access to the rear deck. Photo from Realtor site,


Photo from Realtor site.


The Oakdale in Barrington has zoning that permits both a single family residence and also a business. Consequently, around 1995 the house was converted to an office and it remained that way until 2014.

The house in 2014 when it housed a consulting firm. Photo from Realtor site.


The living room and dining room in 2014. Photo from Realtor site.


Luckily the Oakdale was purchased in 2015 and went back to being used as the single-family house that Foster originally built in 1926. The house has come full circle!



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