California's Kit Homes: A Reprint of the 1925 Pacific Ready-Cut Homes Catalog (Paperback)

~ Rosemary Thornton (Author), Dale Patrick Wolicki (Author) "YOU are the best kind of an American citizen when you own your home!..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

California's Kit Homes is a reprint of the 1925 Pacific Ready-Cut Homes catalog and includes a 15-page introduction written by Rosemary Thornton (author, The Houses That Sears Built and Finding The Houses That Sears Built) and Dale Patrick Wolicki (author, The Historic Architecture of Bay City, Michigan).

Between 1908-1940, Pacific Ready Cut Homes sold about 37,000 kit homes throughout California and neighboring states. This is a high quality reprint of their 160-page catalog and contains a plethora of historical information about this Los Angeles-based company.

Includes:

- Beautiful, high quality photos of period kitchens, baths and living areas
- Photos and floor plans of more than 100 housing styles offered in 1925
- Vintage photos of the Pacific Homes factory and grounds
- Pictures of California neighborhoods built with Pacific Homes
- Fascinating history and background of Pacific Ready Cut Homes

Plus: The introduction includes "Seven Tips for Finding and Identifying Pacific Homes."

With more than 100 housing styles featured in this impressive catalog, you'll find California's Kit Homes to be one of those books that you'll want to read again and again!

About the Author

About Rosemary Thornton: Since the publication of Rose's first book on kit homes (The Houses That Sears Built), she has appeared on PBS's History Detectives, CBS's Sunday Morning News, A&E's Biography and WGN News. Rose and her book have been featured in the Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, L. A. Times, Dallas Morning News, The Washington Post, Old House Journal and about 100 other publications. Her other titles include Finding The Houses That Sears Built (Gentle Beam Publications, 2004).

About Dale Patrick Wolicki: A noted authority on mail-order homes from Bay City companies, Aladdin, Lewis-Liberty and Sterling, Dale is a volunteer with the Bay County Historical Society (Bay City, Michigan), promoting the preservation of local sites and structures as Architectural Historian. He received his Bachelors of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. Author of The Historic Architecture of Bay City, Michigan, his work has been featured in numerous books and magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Gentle Beam Publications (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971558833
• ISBN-13: 978-0971558830
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #815,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource as well as entertaining, October 28, 2004

By	Bungalow Barb (Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Having been on a 5 year search for the origins of my quirky 1920 Colonial Revival bungalow, it's wonderful to finally find information on Pacific Ready-Cut Homes, a major manufacturer of kit homes in Southern California.

I have several of Rosemary Thornton's Sears books, and again she has produced a top quality research aid that is not only fact filled but a fun read. You are destined to be a full time kit house afficianado and amateur detective after reading any of her books, but if you are a California old house owner or in love with old houses and early 20th century every day life - this book is a must have.

Barbara in Hollywood

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Great Book! , April 25, 2007

By	D. Mitchell "Dan & Joe" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are several books on kit homes, this one by far has the most information and is the best organized of any I have seen. If you are looking to get a book on this subject, this is the one to get! The author's jovial style of writing along with it's content, makes this book a hard one to put down. It's filled with great images and it nicely catalogs a huge number of models, styles, and optional upgrades.
I keep mine in the car and it's an unexpected treat for my passengers when driving through older neighborhoods.
Joe Candeias - North Hollywood

- I gave it as a gift to friends who recently bought an older home and now they love the book too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, fun, resource! , April 18, 2007

By	Cynthia D. Ward "History Nerd" (Anaheim, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an Architectural Historian specializing in west coast homes of the early 20th century, Rose's books have become my other Bibles! The info on Pacific Ready Cut has helped me to identify many homes in cities throughout Orange County, CA. Beware, it is VERY easy to get sucked into the kit homes addiction once you learn to identify them. Suddenly you see them everywhere. Rosemary Thornton's writing style is informative and humorous, an easy read, and always fun. If you live in an older neighborhood in CA you MUST have this book. And then go check out her others on Sears houses, she is one of my favorite authors!