Even though Sears, Roebuck didn't open their first office in Buffalo, NY until 1929, their houses had a presence (albeit small) in Buffalo and her surrounding towns and suburbs for at least a decade if not more before that.
One of the prettiest and most popular houses Sears offered was the Westly, a bungalow with a balconied dormer, "Sears" columns, and the well-known (though not exclusive to Sears) 5-piece brackets. The Westly first appeared as #264B206 in 1913 and made its last appearance in 1929. It is first called The Westly in 1918. 1920 seems to be the transition year as it is offered with two floor plans — the default floor plan has two windows on the second floor in the rear of the house while the earlier floor plan with four windows on the back is offered now as alternate plan. Eventually it will only be offered with the two windows.
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| From the 1916 Sears, Roebuck catalog. |
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| From the 1923 Sears, Roebuck catalog. |
Well in Williamsville, a small village located in the Buffalo suburb of Amherst, there is a very pretty, charming Westly. Our friend Mark told us about it because a friend of his, a ceramic professor at Daemen College, purchased the house in 2004, restored it and sold it a few years later. According to Mark, his friend has the Sears, Roebuck documentation so I can pretty much safely say it's been authenticated. It's on a corner lot in a particularly quaint part of Williamsville. In true Buffalo style, the dormer balcony has been enclosed but you can still see the original windows behind the outer glass. County and town records put the build year as 1922. It is the earlier version with the four windows on the second floor rear. It is located at 178 Arend Ave.
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| Sears Westly 178 Arend Ave. Town of Amherst Assessment photo. (So pretty in the snow) |
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| Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Side view. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Four windows on the second floor rear makes it the earlier version. This house has an addition. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Enclosed dormer. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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Enclosed dormer. Photo Sarah Mullane
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| You can really see the original windows and siding. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Detail of bump-out, dormer, and columns. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Detail of bump-out, dormer, and columns. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Bump-out. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Porch detail. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Column details. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Porch detail. Photo Sarah Mullane |
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| Column detail. Photo Sarah Mullane |
Mark's friend says that there are many Sears houses in the immediate area, but I have only found two Ray H Bennett houses in the surrounding blocks. More on those in another post.
I just discovered the (former) existence of Bennett Homes and found your blog in the course of my research! I was wondering if Williamsville had some kit homes, as the ones from the Bennett catalog reminded me of some of the houses in Williamsville. Do you think this house--122 Garrison Rd in Williamsville--might also be a Westly? https://www.google.com/maps/place/122+Garrison+Rd,+Buffalo,+NY+14221/@42.9606252,-78.7380577,3a,30y,94.24h,93.79t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sgbQFCpj2Ncxuy9yyNxF9Qw!2e0!5s20170801T000000!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89d37485e98b51d5:0xfb2bc69d1a21d22c!8m2!3d42.960546!4d-78.737611
ReplyDeleteHi Tabitha! At first glance, I don't think it's a Westley but I need to look closer. It does remind me of something. (Enclosed porches throw me :).) It is beautiful! I need to explore that part of the neighborhood too. I've looked south of Main and but west of S Cayuga and north of Main around Arend where the Westley is. There is a Bennett Ontario and Bennett Woodhaven on Arend and the next block and two Bennetts on Milton between California and Los Robles (I sometimes pass ion my way to work.) If you want to contact me through the contact page, please do. I am very interested in your research, especially since you are in my area.
ReplyDeleteWilliamsville definitely has lots of beautiful homes! I used to live there (a few minutes' walk from Arend) but have recently moved a bit south. Thanks for letting me know about the Bennett ones; I'll definitely check them out next time I'm there! And I will send you a message shortly. :)
DeleteHere's one in Bellefonte Pa.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.zillow.com/homedetails/412-E-Curtin-St-Bellefonte-PA-16823/75215733_zpid/?