Croul–Palms House

In 1881, Jerome Croul commissioned William Scott to build this house at a cost of $25,000.[2] Croul was a successful merchant of woolens and sheepskins, owning (with his brother William) the firm of Croul Brothers; he was also a Detroit Fire Commissioner.[3]

In 1887, Croul sold the house to Celimene Palms, the wife of Francis. Francis Palms was a major Detroit landowner, inheriting a substantial fortune from his father. Francis died in 1905, but his wife continued to live in the house until her death in 1914.[2] The structure was converted into a boarding house with 25 rooms.[2] The Palms family continued to own the house through their realty company until 1945. In 1954, the house was again converted into an apartment building with eight apartments.[2][3] In 1983, the house was restored for use as office space.[3][4]

The Croul–Palms house boasts irregular massing, contrasting materials, and a picturesque roofline, all details characteristic of Queen Anne style architecture.[4] The house is 2½ stories, and is constructed from red brick on a rock-faced stone foundation. There are additional curved stone details,[2] as well as stone banding and stone window hoods.[5] The house has bay windows stretching the full three stories, and the multi-level roof boasts projecting gables and decorative chimney caps.[2] The exterior of the house is original but for the demolition of front and side porches and a small third-floor balconet, and the replacement of the slate roof.[5]

There was originally a two-story brick barn behind the house, built a year after the house itself; the barn was demolished in 1954.[2]