Grinnell Brothers Music House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grinnell Brothers Music House
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| Location | 27 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac, Michigan |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Leo John Heenan |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001812 |
| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1984 |
The Grinnell Brothers Music House is an old commercial building in Pontiac, Michigan. It was once a very popular music store. This building is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important part of history!
Building's Story
In 1880, three brothers named Herbert, Clayton, and Ira Grinnell started a music business. They began in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Two years later, in 1882, they moved their company to Ypsilanti.
The brothers first sold famous Steinway pianos. They were so good at it that they started making their own brand of pianos. By 1901, Grinnell Brothers was one of Michigan's biggest music dealers. They sold pianos and other music items.
Growing the Business
The company began opening many stores. Soon, they had 43 stores in Michigan, Windsor (Canada), and Toledo (Ohio). In 1905, they moved their main office to Detroit.
They opened a store in Pontiac in 1907. Sadly, the first Pontiac building was destroyed by a fire. So, in 1923, the company built this new, stronger building. They hired a talented architect named Leo John Heenan to design it.
Eventually, the Grinnell Brothers store in Pontiac closed down. The building later became a nightclub. That nightclub closed in 2014.
What the Building Looks Like
The Grinnell Brothers Music House in Pontiac is a three-story building. It is designed in the Gothic Revival style. This style often uses pointed arches and fancy decorations.
The building is 20 feet wide and 140 feet long. It was built to be fireproof. It has a strong steel frame and concrete floors. The front of the building, called the facade, is made entirely of stone. It has many detailed carvings and designs.
The front has three sections, called bays. These sections are separated by tall, flat columns called pilasters on the third floor. The main entrance on the first floor is very wide. Above the storefront, the words "Grinnell Bros. Music House" are carved into the stone.
