Park Authority to Dedicate Restored 1935 Sears House

Long before the Internet you could buy anything you wanted through a catalogue, including a house. The recently restored Spindle House in Centreville, VA is an original Sears catalog home that will be dedicated on Saturday, September 13, 2008 during the annual Centreville Day celebration. Ribbon cutting ceremonies are slated for 1 p.m. and will be followed by an interpretive tour of the small property.

Roger Spindle worked for the Post Office in Washington and he and his wife, Wilma ordered the 1,000 square foot home from Sears, Roebuck and Co. in January 1934. It cost $1,244.

The Spindle House features two bedrooms, a living room, a small kitchen, a dining room and a basement. The house had electricity and the home's electrical and plumbing fixtures are intact.

There were over 100,000 Sears houses sold in the first half of the 20th century.

The house is part of Mount Gilead at the Historic Centreville Park, which also contains Civil War earthen works, an 18th century tan yard and family graveyard. The house is located at 5714 Mount Gilead Road in Centreville. Many streets will be closed during the celebration, but shuttle buses and free parking are available. Parking is available at the Trinity Center located at 5875 Trinity Parkway in Centreville. For more information about the ceremony, contact the Park Authority Public Information Office at 703-324-8662. For a schedule of Centreville Day activities, visit www.centrevilleday.com.