Jonathan Taylor Grimes House, Edina, Minnesota, NRHP-listed
The Jonathan Taylor Grimes House is a residence built in 1869 and the oldest house still standing in Edina, Minnesota, designed in the Gothic Revival style. The one-and-a-half story structure features a steep roof, tall pointed windows, decorative woodwork, a large bay window, and horizontal wood siding typical of mid-1800s construction.
The house was built in 1869 for Jonathan Taylor and Elizabeth Gordon Grimes, who arrived in the late 1850s and established a nursery business in the area. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and received further protection as an Edina Heritage Landmark through designations in 1976 and 2003.
The house is named after its original owners Jonathan Taylor and Elizabeth Gordon Grimes, who arrived in the late 1850s and shaped the local community through their work and values. The family was known for advocating peace and opposing slavery, which set them apart from their neighbors and earned respect from like-minded Quaker families in the area.
The house is located in a residential neighborhood of Edina and can be viewed from the street, where its historic architectural features are visible from the exterior. Visitors should note that this is a private residence and only the exterior can be appreciated from public access points.
Jonathan Taylor Grimes served as the first president of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and played a key role in introducing plant species like the Catalpa tree, which still shade streets and parks in Minneapolis today. His family operated the Lake Calhoun Nursery spanning 16 acres, demonstrating his influence on the region's botanical development.
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