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   Monday, Mar. 18, 2024  
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Once again, Sears has made history. For the first time, Sears has opened the doors to its vast archival collection and invited the public to peek inside. More than 100 years of history now available online.

Sears has a rich, long history to tell dating back to 1886 when Richard Sears sold the first batch of watches. The milestones, introductions and stories fill volumes. However, we've boiled Sears history down to a short narrative and event timeline for you: Sears narrative history tells the story of the founding of Sears and the Sears chronology is an up-to-date primer of Sears milestones and events. Both sections span from 1886 to today.

The site will be updated frequently, so be sure to bookmark www.searsarchives.com.

Enjoy your trip through the Sears Archives!

  Richard W. Sears (1863-1914)
Co-Founder and 1st President

Richard Warren Sears was born December 7, 1863, in Stewartville, Minn., to James Warren and Eliza Sears. More on Richard Sears.

  Sears History Overview Video
  History
Narrative History of Sears
  ⋅  1886 1925
  ⋅  1887 1930s
  ⋅  1890s 1940s to 1970s
  ⋅  1900s 1980s to today
Chronologies
  ⋅  Brief chronology
  ⋅  Detailed chronology
  ⋅  Modern milestones
History Q&A
  ⋅  What is the official name of Sears?
  ⋅  When was Sears founded?
  ⋅  WLS radio station
  ⋅  Sears National Baby Contest
  ⋅  Sewing machines
  ⋅  Refund check
  ⋅  Refund postcard
  ⋅  Rosenwald School Program
Sears & Art
  ⋅  Vincent Price Collection of Fine Art
References
  ⋅  Books and references
Annual Reports
  2002 1999
  2001 1998
  2000
Current News & Info
Sears newsroom
Fast facts
  Historic Homes
  ⋅  What is a Sears home?
Chronology of homes
History of homes
Home listings by date
Images of Homes
1908-1914 1927-1932
1915-1920 1933-1940
1921-1926
Contact Sears Holdings Archives
Contact a fellow enthusiast
Register as an enthusiast
Homes Q&A
Does Sears Holdings give permission to reproduce catalog pages or images from its catalogs, and or other memorabilia?
Books and references
  Catalogs
Catalog History
  ⋅  History of the "Wish Book"
  ⋅  History of the "Big Book"
  ⋅  Catalog chronology
Catalog Q&A
  ⋅  Does Sears buy old catalogs?
Does Sears sell old catalogs?
Where can I find old catalogs?
When did Sears begin 
distributing the catalogs?
When did Sears stop 
distributing the catalogs?
Will Sears give permission 
to reproduce catalog pages 
or images from its catalogs?
Current Online Catalogs
& Internet Sites
Wish Book & Specialty Catalogs
sears.com
kmart.com
thegreatindoors.com
landsend.com
  Stores
Store Histories
  ⋅  Sears first stores
  ⋅  Chicago: Oldest operating stores
  ⋅  Chicago: Irving Park Store
  ⋅  Indiana: Evansville
  ⋅  Iowa: Mason City
  ⋅  Massachusetts
  ⋅  New York
  ⋅  North Carolina
  ⋅  Texas: Dallas and Fort Worth
Store History Q&A
  ⋅  When did Sears open its first store?
Image of a Kansas City store
Current Store Formats
Locate a Sears store today
Full-line stores (in the mall)
Sears Grand
 
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