Have you ever heard of a Kit Home? Did you know that Monrovia is home to many Kit Houses?

In the early 20th century, people sought escape from crowded cities due to high population density and the threat of diseases. The growth of suburban areas, aided by expanded railroad lines and better public transportation, made this escape both possible and convenient. Yet, the expanding middle class faced a challenge – a shortage of affordable housing. 

Enter the Kit House, a unique solution to the housing challenge of the time. These mail-order homes, also known as mill-cut houses, pre-cut houses, or ready-cut houses, gained popularity in the United States, Canada, and beyond during the first half of the 20th century. Aspiring homeowners, unable to afford the opulent Victorian mansions of the upper class, found a viable option in these kit homes.

Kit house manufacturers, operating nationally, offered houses in various plans and styles – from simple bungalows to elaborate Colonials. The concept was straightforward: customers could select a design from a catalog, and the manufacturer would supply all the necessary materials for construction at a fixed price. Notably, materials like brick, concrete, or masonry for the foundation were typically excluded, as customers would arrange for local construction. Click this link to see photos of kit houses. 

In Monrovia, the history of Kit Homes is just another notable part of Monrovia’s architectural legacy -- see article titled "The Era of The Kit House" written by Jim Wigton of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. During this era, six major national companies marketed their designs for these kit homes, with Sears Roebuck and Pacific Homes emerging as dominant suppliers in Southern California. Sears alone presented an impressive 370 designs, providing a myriad of options for customization.

Los Angeles-based Pacific Ready-Cut Homes Inc., once the largest home builder in the West, dominated the pre-cut market in Southern California during the company’s pre-Depression peak. Eight decades later, many Pacific Ready-Cut houses still stand in neighborhoods as diverse as Beverly Hills and South Los Angeles. From the exterior, it's challenging to discern whether a house was built from a kit unless you are familiar with the catalog designs. In many cases, even the current owners are unaware that they are residing in a kit home. 

Kit houses can be identified by the part numbers on exposed wood in the attics or basements. These numbers and labels corresponded to the detailed assembly instructions provided by the kit home company. The labeling system made it easier for individuals with varying levels of construction experience to follow the instructions and correctly piece together the components of the home. This approach was a key aspect of the kit home model, allowing for a more straightforward and efficient construction process. It enabled individuals without extensive construction expertise to successfully build their homes, contributing to the popularity of kit homes during that era. Companies like Sears, Aladdin, and others utilized this numbering system to simplify the assembly process for their customers.

While the exact number of kit houses in present-day Monrovia remains unknown, the city's historical rail access and proximity to Pacific Homes in Los Angeles suggest the likelihood of several undiscovered kit houses waiting to be unveiled. As we delve into Monrovia's architectural history, the Kit Homes stand as a testament to the creativity and practicality that shaped the landscape of suburban living in the early 20th century.

Some links to read up on kit houses: 
Sears Roebuck Kit Homes Catalogue 1936
​How to Identify Sears Kit Homes
How to Identify Kit Homes
How to Identify Kit Homes (Historic New England)
How to Identify Kit Homes (WikiHow)