Grindley, Robert M. and Matilda (Kitch), House

The Grindley House at 123 Parsons is a single-family residential dwelling constructed in 1897 by the builders Putnam and Moore that is significant for its associations with members of the Grindley family. Three of the Grindleys, Robert McBride, Sarah, and Joseph, made significant contributions to the Cass Farm community, the development of the City of Detroit, the social development of the city's youth, and to various churches. The brick house, almost one hundred years old, stands as a reminder of the residential character of the Cass Farm prior to the massive industrialization of Detroit after the turn-of-the-century. Its presence as the only building of this nature still extant on Parsons contributes to the Multiple Resource Nomination of the Cass Farm Survey Area within the context of single-family domestic architecture and social history.

The Grindley House at 123 Parsons in Detroit, Michigan is a two and one-half story brick, gable fronted dwelling with large cross gable. Colonial Revival in style with Classical detailing, the slate-faced frontal gable is embellished with console brackets and scalloped trim under the eaves. Also enriching the gable is a large two-part lattice window. The window originally featured an ornate surround composed of a sill supported by modillions, colonettes, and a lintel with carved swags topped with a shell motif; the surround has been removed. The peak of the gable is adorned with a carved oculus encircled by a frame and voussoirs. Side dormers cross the slate roof; their slate-faced gable end contains a Palladian-like window with a blind central lunette. The same modillion and scalloped cornice creates a stringcourse encircling the house that distinguishes the attic and second stories. In addition, it forms the lintels of the second story windows, the fenestration consisting of a three-sided bay adorned with a broken pediment and a transomed, three-part window with a denticulated sill. The first story is composed of a double door entrance flanked by a large, transomed window and the continuation of the second story bay. The flat roofed porch is once again enriched with the modillion and scalloped pattern entablature. The paired Ionic columns which supported the porch roof have been removed. The high basement is of rusticated stone with a half round window in the foundation. All first story and selected second story windows have been boarded. Most of the interior design features, including oak moldings and paneled wainscoting, an oak staircase with decorated newel posts with urns, garlands, and foliated detail, and molded plasterwork and ceiling medallions, have been stripped. Also removed are the pocket doors which divided the front and rear parlors, the mantelpiece with fluted Corinthian columns, the mirror enframed with egg and dart moldings, and a denticulated cornice. The first floor features narrow plank oak floors. The second story contains five bedrooms. The exterior and interior design elements were stripped from 123 Parsons by the previous owner when the house was sold to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Inc. as the building was slated for demolition. However, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Inc. now plans to restore the house for office and possibly gallery space.