HO Catalog Homes

Description

Throughout the later half of the 19th century and well into the 20th century many architectural firms offered stock house plans that could be purchased for use in constructing homes throughout the country. Perhaps the best known of the catalog home companies was Sears, but others invcluding Alladin and Harris, McHenry and Baker were also quite common during the 1920's and 1930's. Often these plans were published in elaborately illustrated catalogs and prospective homeowners could order a complete set of plans for their local builder. However, several firms offered complete kits that would be delivered (often in a railroad boxcar) to the buyer, who would then provide the foundation and the labor. Because of their widespread use, these house designs can still be found from coast to coast.
We have a variety of different home designs, perfect for any size lot and any era. In addition to these houses, we also offer a number of other home designs which are listed on our Houses Page as well as a several Historic Home models.
HO Residential (Catalog Homes) Kits
HO Tower House
The Tower House is based on a catalog design by Palliser, Palliser & Co, Architects of Bridgeport CT. Originally shown in their 1878 catalog, it offered a comfortable, convenient cottage home of six rooms, with Tower, which is designed to command a view of the surrounding country where erected. Cost, $ 1,700.
Click these links for more pics:
Side View | Aerial View
HO Thelma House
The Thelma is another classic compact catalog house from the 1917 Aladdin catalog which featuring a covered corner front porch that gave shelter when fumbling for your house keys during that ill timed downpour. This house could fit pretty much anywhere across the country and should be able to find a spot on virtually any layout.

Click the image above for a larger view.
HO Stoddard House
The Stoddard house is based on a plan shown in the 1925 catalog of Harris, McHenry and Baker of Elmira, NY. Unlike many of their competitors who offered complete house kits to be delivered to the construction site, of Harris, McHenry and Baker offered house plans only. The Stoddard was one of their intermediate designs. Hudson garage available separately.
Click these links for more pics: Alternate View
HO Albion House
The Albion is based on a home shown in the 1927 Sears catalog. The kit price of $2,515.00 included all the lumber, willwork, trim, cupboards, doors, windows, hardare, gutters and downs pouts - even the paint and varnish! Our minuature version has... well.. most of that!
Click these links for more pics:
Front View | Rear View
HO Whitehall House
The Whitehall is based on a home shown in the 1927 Sears catalog. The kit price of $1,863.00 included all lumber, millwork, trim, cupboards, doors, windows, hardware, gutters and downspouts – even paint and varnish. For an additional $112.00 buyers could add oak doors, trim and floors for living and dining room, and maple floors in the kitchen and bathroom!
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO Suburban House
The Suburban is based on a plan shown in the 1917 Aladdin catalog.“The Suburban” they said, “is well named, because how (sic) attractively this modern house will adorn the most desirable lot in the residential part of any of our progressive cities!” How can we say more?The Suburban house kit listed at $1,132.00 less mortar and masonary. With a 5% pre-payment discount it could be had for $1075.40.
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO Drayton House
The Drayton house is based on a plan shown in the 1917 Aladdin catalog. Alladin was based in Bay City, Michigan. They offered house kits shipped from their plant to the job site that included all lumber, hardware, nails, and even enough paint for two coats. The home buyer was responsible for any masonry materials needed. Aladdin offered a number of home plans ranging in size from hunter’s cottages to large multi-bedroom designs. The Drayton was one of Aladdin’s smaller designs. This compact design listed at $218.00 for the complete kit, but a 5% discount was offered if the buyer paid in advance, bringing the total to $207.00!
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO Finley House
The Finley house is based on a plan shown in the 1917 Aladdin catalog. They advertised this home as "being popular with the owner of any sized lot, yet it finds special favor in cities where lots are sometimes as narrow as 30, or even 25 feet. The Finley can be built very nicely on a 25 foot lot and still leave ample space for a walk on either side…..Those wanting a sixroom, two story plain house are invariably pleased with the Finley."
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO Beverly House
The Beverly is based on a design for a two family home shown in the 1917 Aladdin catalog. Homes of similar designs can be found throughout the country. It offered two complete apartments, each with a large living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Each apartment had its own entrance as well as sharing a side stairwell. The price for the original Beverly it (excluding mortar and bricks for the foundation and plumbing) was $1,688.15.
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO LaSalle House
The LaSalle is based on a home shown in the 1926 Sears catalog. The kit price of $2,746.00 included all lumber, millwork, trim, cupboards, doors, windows, hardware, gutters and downspouts – even paint and varnish! Although designed to look like a single family home, the LaSalle also included a second floor apartment which was to provide “A steady income from the rent… In the long run the owner finds such a rental pays for the investment”.
Click these links for more pics: Rear View
HO Wenonah House
The Wenonah is another home built from built from catalog plans in the 1917 Aladdin catalog This home offered bright rooms with it’s large windows that let in plenty of light when situated on just the right lot. Another great addition to the Neighborhood.