Birmingham, Mich. : its past, present and future.

BIRMINGHAM, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

consist of a fine large fifteen-room house, large hay, grain,
horse and cattle barns, etc. There is a fine flowing well on
the farm two hundred feet in depth. Mr. Parsons is a breeder of
fast stock, at the head of which is the thoroughbred stallion, Red
Chief, by Red Wilkes. Mr. Parsons is also a breeder of heavy
draft horses and has a fine imported Belgium stallion. Mr. Parsons has made extensive improvements on the place lately, spending $3,ooo on the house alone this spring. He contemplates making Red Gabels one of the finest country places in this locality.
All kinds of farm products are raised, but a specialty is made of
garden produce. Mr. Parsons was born in Detroit, has lived on
his present farm five years and is unmarried.
SHADYSIDE FARM,
Albert S. and John B. Adams, Owners.
SHADYSIDE FARM, consisting of two hundred and forty
acres, is situated one-half mile northeast of Birmingham. The
land is slightly rolling and the soil a clay and gravel loam. The
farm is in a good state of cultivation. Never failing water is supplied by living springs. The buildings consist of a large farm

house can be seen standing at the top of a hill in bold relief, with
a background of beautiful trees and rolling green fields. And
the presence of several large hay and grain barns do not detract

INTERIOR VIEW (RECEPTION ROOM.)
RESIDENCE-MAPLE RIDGE FARM.
from the beauty of the scene. Perhaps there is no prettier farm
scene to be found in any part of this section of country. The
house is deserving of especial mention. It is a large, modern twostory structure of the most beautiful design. But the beautiful exterior does not fully prepare one for the lovely arrangement and
furnishings of the interior. The parlor, reception and sitting
rooms are furnished in the most elegant manner. Upon entering
the vestibule you catch a glimpse of the beauty withi. To the right
in the reception room is a broad winding staircase, and to the left
are sliding doors leading into the parlor. Back of the parlor is
the library and sitting rooms, while to the right of these is the
dining room. Beautiful mantels with fireplaces adorn both the
parlor and reception room. The woodwork is natural oak and polished. The kitchen, pantry, storeroom, cellar, etc., are models of

RESIDENCE-SHADYSIDE FARM.
house and numerous barns, conveniently arranged. The house
stands upon a slight elevation of ground and is surrounded by large
evergreen and other ornamental trees. Messrs. Adams conduct
a general line of farming, consisting of grain, stock, etc. The farm
was taken up from the government in 1825 by Seymour Adams,
father of the Adams brothers, he making the first improvements on
the place. The farm is one of the oldest and best known in this
vicinity.
MAPLE RIDGE FARM,
Edward Miller, Owner.
MAPLE RIDGE FARM may properly be classed as one of
the most beautiful farms in this part of the country. The farm is
two miles and a half west of Birmingham, on the Franklin road,

INTERIOR VIEW (PARLOR.)
RESIDENCE-MAPLE RIDGE FARM.
their kind. The sleeping rooms on the second floor are bowers of
beauty. The house is hot water heated, lit with gas, and has bath
with hot and cold water. Gas is also used during hot weather to
cook with. There is also a telephone in the house, connecting
with all parts of the country. In fact, everything that comfort and
elegance can suggest can be found here. But the beauty of the
farm is not confined to the house alone. A short distance back of
the house is a very high knoll, and if you take a short, steep climb
to the top of it you will be well paid for the trouble. The view
from this point is fine. Off to the northwest is the lovely Gilbert
Lake, while to the east and south are rolling green lands and
golden fields of ripened grain, with a farmhouse here and there to
enhance the beauty of the scene. The farm is very productive and
all kinds of products are raised. In addition to the regular stock,
Mr. Miller has a number of thoroughbred Gurnsey cattle. Mr.
Miller was born in Bloomfield and has lived there ever since. He
was married in 1885 to Mrs. Arabella A. Daniels and together they
have made their farm what it is to-day. Having no children of
their own, they adopted five children from the Coldwater School
and have given them an elegant home and the best of training.

RESIDENCE-MAPLE RIDGE FARM.
and contains two hundred and forty acres of beautiful rolling
land. Approaching the farm by the road from the east the
prospect is delightful. Nearly a mile away, the magnificent farm