(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Roberta Reed has lived in the same Sears house on Illinois Street in Crystal Lake since 1967.
Sears sold tens of thousands of homes in the first half of the 20th century. The buyer would pick the style out of the sears catalog, and then all of the building materials would be shipped to the site.
Reed said an old neighbor remembered when the homebuilding kit arrived in Crystal Lake by train in 1929.
“Unloading of all of the supplies off the railway cars, and [then they were] brought to the site,” Reed said.
She said she’s learned a great deal about her house — and Sears homes, in general — during the landmark process.
“We just feel privileged for being able to do this whole journey and information-finding,” Reed said. “It makes me more appreciative of Crystal Lake.”
Daughter Emily Reed said the process of learning about the history of the house in order to get landmark status from the Crystal Lake historical preservation commission was an opportunity for family bonding.
“It’s been a really great journey for mom and I, and finding out more about the place we live has been, really, a wonderful experience,” she said.
Daughter Emily Reed said the family history wrapped up in the house is impossible to calculate.
The house has a drop down ironing board, telephone nook, and crystal doorknobs. Reed said the family history wrapped up in the house is impossible to calculate.
“Well it’s four walls, but it’s the memories inside that are the most treasured and important things to us,” she said.
The full city council could approve the landmark designation later this month.
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