Was your home ordered with a check and delivered by train? | Photo from Sears and Roebuck Companies via Wikimedia
In 1908, Sears, Roebuck and Company issued the first “Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans” to increase its sales of building materials.
These kits came with everything needed to build a house, from pre-cut lumber to windows + paint. After mailing a check, the parts would arrive by train a few weeks later. In 1913, “The Lakeland” style would have cost up to $3,972. That’s around $130,000 in today’s money.
Could this be one of Lakeland’s first recorded Sears homes?
The last catalogs were sent in 1940, and some 75,000 Sears and Roebuck kit homes were built over those 32 years. But here’s the thing — the team behind a private national database doesn’t have any listed withinLakeland.
The nearest homes on the official list are in Tampa, Orlando, and Kissimmee, but several readers have reached out to us with stories of their own houses. For example, a 1927 home in the Cumberland neighborhood resembles the “Elsmore” kit, according to Reader Sandra J.
Click below to find more local homes that could make the database — plus, learn how to tell if you might be living in one.
History of Henna | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Tejal Mehta will present on this artform’s historical + cultural significance, and guests will leave with a mini cone of henna.
Get Down On It SOUL Line Dancing Class | 6:30-8 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | $10 | You’ll be ready for your next outing after learning classic and contemporary soul line dances for all skill levels.
Wednesday, July 30
Morning Mindfulness | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Drum your heart out with Giving Tree Music in the final Morning Mindfulness session of the summer.
Wednesdays We Wear Pink | 6-8 p.m. | Rogue Coffee | Free+ | Put on your pink for a girl’s night with specialty menu items + fun activities.
Thursday, July 31
6-Month Anniversary | Thursday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 10 | Times vary | CYCLEdelic | $10 | Hop on a stationary bike to celebrate six months of this studio’s new ownership — new riders get $6 off.
Friday, Aug. 1
Owl Luminary Pottery Class | 6-9 p.m. | Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio | $120 | It’s lit — create with clay to make a unique piece of art that lights up inside.
Saturday, Aug. 2
3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | $12+ | Teens from the community will battle it out on the court in a tournament, 3-point shootout, and dunk contest.
Nine new sites are up for acquisition by Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program, including Hancock Lake Ranch in south Lakeland. The Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Committee nominated the sites due to their natural resources + species protection potential. Skip to 1:46:00 to learn more.
Open
Lakeland Film Lab is now open at 126 W. Main St., meaning local photographers no longer have to travel out of town to develop their shots. It’s a passion project for owner and photographer Nick Buttrey, who has already developed 900+ negatives since opening. (LkldNow)
Outdoors
With Bone Valley ATV Park growing, Polk County Parks and Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to monitor riders. Learn more in an orientation session on Saturday, Aug. 16, 9-11 a.m. Pro tip: For every eight hours of volunteer work, you get a free day pass to the park.
Biz
Is shortcake the secret to a long life? Helen Parke, matriarch of the family behind Parkesdale Farm, recently celebrated her 100th birthday with the Plant City community. Raise a milkshake to her legacy when the Parkesdale Market reopens for the season on Wednesday, Aug. 13. (Bay News 9)
Drink
Lakeland Ice Cream Company South is opening a new venture called Dirty Dawg Pop Shop with a lineup of syrup-filled sodas + layered popcorn. Peep the pup-themed menu before it opens this Friday, Aug. 1 — the Big Bark with Dr. Pepper and marshmallow fluff is talking dirty to us.
Arts
If you prefer your pick-me-up with a side of paint, these two murals are right up your alley. Maegan Carroll-Simmons has added a new piece inside Southside Nutrition, a new energy tea spot on South Carter Road. In Midtown, Cricket Edmonds completed a mural outside Quinteassence Kava Bar.
The Word
Publixaurus. That’s the species of Plato, Publix’s dinosaur mascot, who was first introduced in 1991. Plato is most often seen at new store openings, but, according to Click Orlando’s poll, less than 20% of shoppers have seen him in the flesh scales. Maybe he’ll make an appearance at Lake Miriam?
Cause
Calling all nonprofits: Applications close this Friday, Aug. 1 for Lakeland Electric’s Community Giving Grant Program. See how you could score $1,000 for your organization and contact Lakeland Electric with any questions.*
Older Adults
Did you know about these senior discounts? Aside from basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 20 savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
Learn
AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Learn AI skills in three minutes a day with Superhuman AI newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
Trending
Amazon Essentials just launched a new activewear collection (read: soft, comfortable gym clothes for less). We’re loving these high-waist leggings and these colorful capri-length leggings.*
Post of the Day
It’ll be even more fun to stay at the YMCA when construction concludes on this major project. Get an inside look at the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA’s future 40,000-sqft field house, which will include an indoor turf field, two basketball courts, and an elevated indoor track, seen here. It’s in Phase 2 of the YMCA’s $21 million renovation.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Did you know about Plato the Publixaurus? I grew up with him by playing the free Publix Preschool Pals computer game, where you could shop in the store and put items away in the right places. Sadly, it’s no longer available, but you can find free Plato coloring sheets near store entrances while you do the real thing.
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