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Gordon Van Tine Kit House Restoration House at the Start Welcome to another major project. In addition to our main house we live in there are several other buildings on our property. One of these is a small house that we originally believed was a Sears kit house built in the 1920's. We have decided to restore this old house to provide guest quarters here on the farm. Our first task was to try to prove this was a Sears kit house. We researched other local Sears houses, looked on the internet and in books for information that would help determine which model it was. While the front porch matches the one in the Crescent model the roof line and floor plan are not from that house. We continued searching and finally found out that Sears made small changes from one year to the next in the exact models offered. A purchaser could also pick and choose from among standard features to get a custom version made. Finally we found an old picture, taken when the house was first built. The back of the picture was what we believe to be the delivery form for the kit. Original Photo Back of the Photo Based on this information we decided that it was in fact a custom kit house. Finished Fall 2004 In 2003 we started locating labels on some of the wood. We have not yet found a Sears logo, but not all kit houses had logo marked pieces. The stamps that indicated what piece was for where are a clear indication that this was a kit house. However, the labels do not match the standard for those used on Sears lumber. So the question remains, is this a Sears house or one from another vendor? Our most recent information leads us to believe it was more likely a house designed by Gordon-Van Tine Company which sold houses both under their own name and for Wards. We are still searching for definitive proof of who the actual maker of the kit was. News Flash! Not a Sears House! We now have information that our kit house is not a Sears kit house but instead is one made by Gordon-Van Tine Company. Special Thanks to Kit House expert Rebecca Hunter who located our house in her archives of catalogs. The floorplan is the Pasadena or model 598 while the front porch is the facade from the Cabot model 633. Labels on Wood Updated July 2003 Here is a picture of the floorplan. The grid is a 5 foot spacing. The bathroom walls are not complete, part had already been removed when we measured the house. Our major construction milestones are listed below. The most recent are on top. Siding Doors and Windows Plumbing and Heating The New Basement Updated July 2003 A Look Inside Replace Roof Septic tank, French Drain & Block Wall on Foundation Install New Foundation Updated November 14 Remove Old Foundation Move House Off Old Foundation Go To Top