Grim Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Grim Building
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The Grim Building in 2013
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 Location in Missouri
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| Location | 113 - 115 E. Washington St., Kirksville |
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| Built | 1905 |
| Architect | Weber & Groves |
| Architectural style | Jacobethan Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001343 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1979 |
The Grim Building is a historic office building in Kirksville, Missouri. It was built in 1905 and looks like an old castle, a style called Jacobethan Revival. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Today, it's a cool example of old architecture and medical history.
Contents
History of the Grim Building
Building a Dream Clinic
In the early 1900s, two doctor brothers, Ezra and Edward Grim, wanted a big building where they could have all their medical offices in one place. In 1904, they hired an architectural company from St. Louis, Missouri called Weber and Groves. They wanted a building large enough for offices, examination rooms, and even operating rooms.
A local builder, Albert L. Holmes, was chosen to construct the building. It was finished in October 1905. The final cost was about $11,248. This was a fair price, even though the building had many fancy details.
Cool Design and Details
The outside of the Grim Building is made of red bricks. It has white accent stones and trim around the windows. The main entrance is very detailed. It has a special arched doorway made of limestone with lots of decorations.
An old carriage house is still next to the building. It was part of the original plan. Over the years, it has been changed a lot to make more office and shop space.
Inside, the Grim brothers spent a lot of money to make it look great. There is beautiful, high-quality oak wood everywhere. The main hallway on the first floor has fancy Tennessee marble. Several fireplaces in the building have decorated metal screens and green tiles around them.
Medical Practice and Hospital
The Grim brothers used the eastern part of the first floor for patient treatments and surgeries. This was their main clinic until 1910. That year, they opened a new place called the Grim Brothers Hospital. This new hospital was built just south of the First District Normal School.
Even after the new hospital opened, Edward Grim continued to use the original Grim Building for his own office. He worked there until he passed away in 1936.
Changes Over Time
The brothers' partnership paused for a while starting in 1917. Ezra Grim joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps and served in France during World War I. After the war, they continued to work together at the hospital until they retired. They also kept ownership of the original Grim Building. They rented out office space to other businesses.
The building stayed in the Grim family until 1970. Then, a grandnephew sold it to some outside investors.
Saving a Historic Building
In the 1980s, there were plans to tear down the Grim Building. The idea was to create more parking spaces for businesses downtown. This was surprising because the building was in very good condition.
However, many people in the community spoke up. They were upset about the demolition plans. Also, new owners bought the building. Because of this public outcry and the new ownership, the building was saved!
The Grim Building was then renovated and restored. It now looks much like it did when it was first built. Of course, it has modern things like new lighting, heating, and air conditioning. Some offices also have carpet now.
Even though it's not a museum, the inside of the building has many items and photos. These show the medical history of Kirksville. You can see things about early doctors like Andrew Taylor Still and, of course, the Grim brothers.
Gallery
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Entryway to Grim Building.
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Ornamentation above the doorway of the Grim Building.
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Detail on the front exterior. The man's face is complemented by that of a woman's opposite the entrance.
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Main stairway of the Grim Building in Kirksville, Missouri.
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Second floor hallway of the Grim Building in Kirksville, Missouri. Photos and displays highlight the town's medical history.
