Jonathan Taylor Grimes House

Abandoned by a reservoir, a family sought a new beginning. The Jonathan Taylor Grimes House stands as a testament to their resilience. Jonathan Taylor Grimes, born in Virginia in 1818, sought refuge in Indiana. He married Eliza Angeline Gordon, and they started their life together farming. Disaster struck when a reservoir was built on their land, poisoning their cattle and afflicting Jonathan with malaria. They set their sights on Minneapolis, a small village at the time, arriving in 1855. The Jonathan Taylor Grimes House, built in 1869, became their family home. Jonathan’s abolitionist views clashed with his neighbors’, yet resonated with local Quaker families. He co-purchased the Waterville Mill and 160 acres of land in 1859. This land would eventually become the Morningside neighborhood of Edina. The mill played a vital role during the Civil War, operating day and night to supply flour to Fort Snelling. Jonathan, not a miller himself, hired help while he managed accounts and transported the flour. Jonathan later sold the mill and dedicated himself to horticulture. He established the Lake Calhoun Nursery and introduced ginkgo and catalpa trees to Minnesota. The Jonathan Taylor Grimes House reflects the architectural styles of Andrew Jackson Downing, showcasing Gothic Revival elements. The steeply pitched roof, gabled dormers, and lancet windows stand out. Italianate influences appear in the shallow portico and wide eaves with scroll-cut brackets. After Jonathan and Eliza passed away in 1902 and 1903, the farmstead was subdivided, becoming the Morningside area, a streetcar suburb. The Jonathan Taylor Grimes House remains, a poignant reminder of a family’s journey, their contributions to the community, and the ever-changing landscape of Edina.