Muskogee's Kit-Built Homes

Barbara Downs' interest in Muskogee buildings extends back several years. She believes there are many homes in Muskogee that arrived in railroad boxcars.

Several companies sold everything needed to build a home. Sears, Roebuck and Company became the best known because they offered so many kits. Company use of widely distributed catalogs promoted the product. Sears began selling whole homes in 1909 after selling fixtures for over a decade. Altogether, Sears sold over 100,000 homes, not counting all the $39 outhouses and more expensive farm buildings or barns.

The Sears catalog eventually offered over one hundred models for the future homeowner. Some were mere cabins with no plumbing or electrical wiring. These usually cost much less than a thousand dollars. However, the buyer could add or delete features that raised or lower the final price.


This photograph is a current illustration of a Sears kit home. This home has the address of 712 Callahan Street. Sears first offered the "Lorain" model in 1910. The company designed it as a two-story structure to house two separate families, one above the other in identical floor plans. This house is identical to the building at 718 Callahan Street that was built the next year, but is no longer standing.

The base price for this two-family "flat" was $1,238. The contractor decided to purchase a "flipped" floor plan for the building. Originally, the front bay window was on the left side. Sears offered both designs for the same price. However, the contractor added a bay window to enlarge the kitchen area. It is possible to see the bay window bulging out of the right outside wall about half way back. The contractor also opted to make the front porch stretch across the front of the whole building. These two additions to the original plans elevated the purchase cost to about $1,500.

When the kit arrived in Muskogee, the builder hauled it from the freight depot to the construction site where he had the foundation already built. The kit included 750 pounds of nails and all of the hardware to doors and windows. Each piece had a number stamped on it to coordinate with numbers on the building plans.

The framing, flooring and all interior wood was pine. Cypress siding covered the outside walls. The original roof was of cedar shingling. There was enough paint for applying two coats both inside and out. The buyer got to choose the colors.

The price quoted above did not include a heater or hot water heater. Nor was the cost of electrical wiring included. Sears offered these as extras.

Sears began offering mortgages in 1911. The mortgages were one-page documents. These mortgages were Sears's first venture into providing financial services. This service helped Sears to become the sales leader for kit homes.

The first owner and resident of the home at 712 Callahan Street was a real estate agent named Charles Olentine. His wife and two children lived with him. It is impossible to say if he ordered the Sears kit home. Very likely he did. Two years ago, the former Olentine residence needed attention. The current owners are working to restore this home.