The Croul–Palms House is a private residence located at 1394 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The house is named after its first two owners, Jerome Croul and Francis Palms. In 1881, Jerome Croul commissioned William Scott to build this house at a cost of $25,000. 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. 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. Francis Palms (1809–1886) was the largest landholder in Michigan during the mid-1850s. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium December 13, 1809 and relocated to Detroit with his parents and siblings in 1833. His father Ange was a quartermaster in Napoleon’s army who emigrated to the New World upon Napoleon’s defeat. After moving to Detroit, Ange relocated to New Orleans with 3 sons and a daughter where he founded a manufacturing firm. Francis stayed in Detroit with his mother Jeanette and sister Mary Frances. At one time he became the largest landholder in Michigan (and possibly the U.S.) while in his late 20s.
Palms began building business blocks in Detroit. (The Francis Palms Building which houses the Fillmore theater in Detroit is named for him.) He was the president and largest stock holder in the Peoples Savings Bank as well as the Michigan Marine and Fire Insurance Company. He was the vice president and a director of the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad and he built the Palms Apartments & Palms House on E. Jefferson. He was also an early supporter of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Go to Domustoria.com/signup/ and get posts like this every week!
