Grandmont #1 Improvement Association

 
Brief History of the Area

Andrew Jackson originally deeded the 80 acres now known as Grandmont, the area bounded by Grand River, Southfield, Schoolcraft, and part of Asbury Park to Thomas Norton in 1835.  A family named the 'David's' bought 40 acres of that from the Harrows in 1880 for $300,000.  Then the Grand River Development Co. paid $16,000,000 to Victorine David on October 20, 1915 for those same 40 acres.

City residents who were eager to try suburban living motored out from the City and snapped up the lots quite rapidly.  Their courage and foresight must be applauded when it is considered that there were only wide-open fields where we now see lovely homes, trees, manicured lawns, and paved roads.

Edison Detroit Public School was called Grandmont and was recognized as a very good country school.  There was a small Kroger store not too far away from the school.  However, most shopping was done in Redford and Strathmoor.

Early on, fire protection was the biggest problem.  The neighborhood stored a manual drive fire hose in a shed on Glastonbury.  By posting a cash bond with the City of Detroit, the City would send fire trucks if needed, after which it would be necessary to gather more subscriptions for a new bond.

Enjoy Grandmont #1 and its wonderful atmosphere.  This neighborhood in Detroit is rich with a proud history, and you are making tomorrow's history with every action that you take in your community today.