Modern technology has changed the way homebuyers and realtors do business; search engines and websites put virtual tours of available homes right at the fingertips of those looking to buy.

But the idea of readily available information about homes isnt anything new. In fact, Sears has been providing this for more than a century. In 1908, Americans could scan their Sears catalog for appliances, groceries, toys and their next home. More than 70,000 ready-to-assemble homes were sold between 1908 and 1940, arriving to their destination in pieces via railcar.

Chicago suburbs such as Elgin, Aurora and Downers Grove are known for their abundance of mail-order homes, and thanks to the work of a few members of Park Ridges Kalo Foundation, the citys nearly 40 catalog homes are now making their way into the public eye.

The Park Ridge Preservation Commission is hosting tours of catalog homes in Park Ridge on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 9. At the event, four of the citys Sears catalog homes will be on display after teatime and a talk from Rebecca Hunter, Elgin resident and published author of a book about Sears catalog homes. The homes on display are located at 118 S. Chester Ave., 418 N. Knight St., 505 S. Crescent St. and 730 S. Washington Ave.

Judy Barclay is the chairwoman of the Park Ridge Preservation Commission and member the citys Kalo Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic legacy of Park Ridge. She has worked hard with past and current mayors to make historical preservation a priority in the city.

Fifteen years ago, the teardown of homes began around Park Ridge, and we started losing a lot of our rich historic properties, Barclay said. It broke my heart. Twelve years ago I decided the time for preservation is now."

Another forefront to the project is Annie Eriksson, Maine South High School alum and recent University of Michigan graduate, who grew up in Park Ridge and always had an interest in the history of the now century-old city. As one of the youngest members on the Kalo board, she found her niche by heading up the research on the historic homes.

I had no idea you could purchase a home through a catalog, Eriksson said. These homes would arrive by railcar in about 30,000 pieces, and the new owners would construct it themselves. It was affordable housing for everyday Americans.

Since January, Eriksson has been riding her bike around the entire city with a list of catalog homes she obtained from the library, taking pictures and documenting a list on a blog she created.

I believe these homes are a symbol of America and the American dream of individualism, homeownership and the power of choice, Eriksson said.

Barclay agrees, and said she just wants to share the history of the city with its residents. Park Ridge, she said, has as many, if not more, famous homes and structures as Oak Park.

Were trying to bring forward the rich, abundant history in our town, Barclay said. Every day we uncover something else. Its like Wow, how did we keep this stuff a secret all these years?

The catalog homes will be on display from 1 to 5 p.m. May 9, and Hunter will host lectures at the Mothers Day Tea event at both 1 and 3 p.m. To register, go to http://www.kalofoundation.org/pr_centennial_reservation_form.html or call Betsy Foxwell at 847-823-5314.

Eriksson also will speak about the catalog homes to those interested at noon on Monday, May 8 at the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, 720 W. Garden St.

For Erikssons blog of Park Ridge catalog homes, click here.
For more information about the Kalo Foundation, click here.
For more information about Rebecca Hunters book, click here.

By Bridget Doyle, triblocal.com reporter