Starting around 1908, Sears started selling prefabricated homes via its “Modern Homes” catalogs. Prices ranged from below ...

Beginning in the late 1800s, retailers such as Sears, Roebuck and Co. sent out fat catalogs filled with everything from sewing machines and saddles to bicycles and baby buggies for sale.

we ordered it from the Sears catalog,’” Chabot said. “I was intrigued by the concept of people picking out a house from a catalog,” she said. “I love finding these houses and learning ...