Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Edward & Ora Gridley House
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
1. Edward & Ora Gridley House Marker
Edward & Ora
Gridley House
Built c. 1885 • Queen Anne Style
George Miller, Architect
This house was preserved by Alice Light McTurnan,
whose family lived here from 1904-1996.
Edward Gridley was the son of Asahel Gridley,
a local land developer and attorney.
Erected by Dimmitt's Grove Neighborhood Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 40° 28.671′ N, 88° 59.34′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McLean County. Marker is on East Grove Street east of South Gridley Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 409 E Grove St, Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John and Caroline Roush House (a few steps from this marker); Horace and Nora McCurdy House (a few steps from this marker); Ezra & Barbara Prince House (a few steps from this marker); Lawrence and Mary Jane Weldon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Oscar and Sara Mandel House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. David & Elizabeth Moore House
this page online
Regarding Edward & Ora Gridley House. Excerpt from East Grove Street Architectural/Historical Survey by Greg Koos (1985):
… The house was designed by Bloomington architect George Miller for Edward B. Gridley. Gridley was the son of the town's first millionaire, and apparently did not inherit his father's astuteness, only his temperament. Costing $10,000 the house was cause for a law suit against Gridley for his failure to purchase hardware from a local dealer as agreed by contract. Gridley was later to be named in a breach of promise suit and lost much of his father's fortune on a scheme to extract natural gas from water that was found close to pockets of methane gas. By 1903 or 1904 the house was owned by Huber Light, a local attorney who was best known as the brother of the Broadway actress, Maude Light (Margaret Illington). Maude Light was later to marry Major Bowes of "the Original Amateur Hour", an immensely popular radio show. …
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
2. Edward & Ora Gridley House Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 10, 2021
3. Edward & Ora Gridley House
Front elevation of the house.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
