Did You Know You Could Once Buy a House from Sears in Maine?

So get this, while my kitchen is being painted by the expert and artful hands of Adam from CertaPro Painters, we get to talking about he reveals some really surprising Maine history with me.

So, he used to work painting tugboats on the coast, and he told me about this big white house he used to see near the shipyard.  

One day he wandered inside and was struck by how it looked like a life‑sized dollhouse, impeccably built and super charming.

The homeowner casually dropped a crazy bombshell saying the house was originally purchased from a catalog, yes, a Sears catalog.  

And it gets even more juicy! A listener, Brian Lebel sent in a photo of a real Sears kit house on Francis Street in Van Buren, Maine. He said he grew up nearby and learned that it was indeed one of those catalogue homes! Check it out below! 

He grew up nearby and learned about these historic homes years ago, confirming that Sears homes weren’t just a quirky story, they’re real and still standing in our communities. 

According to Retail Dive, in 1908 to 1940, Sears, Roebuck & Co. sold complete home kits right out of their mail‑order catalog. 

So picture it, you would take a look, pick a design, send a check, and weeks later a boxcar full of pre‑cut materials, like lumber, nails, screws, paint and all, would arrive by train!

You'd then then assemble the kit home and voila! 

Read More: Here's What the Inside of Maine's Wedding Cake House Looks Like

These “Sears Modern Homes” came in hundreds of styles, from cozy cottages to grand Colonials, and many still stand today as unique pieces of architectural history.

So next time you’re chatting with a painter about tugboats and weird houses, don’t be surprised if a little Maine history sneaks into the conversation!