A piece of history lives on in the quiet community of Adel.

The Parrish House, located at 1401 S. Hutchinson Ave., holds many fond memories of the past and new memories being made in the present.

The house was once a place where a family was raised, elaborate parties were thrown and tobacco buyers were housed during the summer months.

Today, the house is home to Sister’s Florist and Bakery, a restaurant that offers hot lunches served in the dining room and more.

Gerald Griffin and his wife, Sonya, bought the old Parrish house in April 2004 from two remaining Parrish grandchildren.

Gerald said the house was in need of major repairs when he purchased it.

“I did the work myself,” he said. “It took about two years to finish it. A lot of people said they were glad to see the house was saved. We kept the name because that’s what everyone knew it as.”

Every effort was made to keep the character of the house as original as possible. The house has most of the original wood flooring and the four original brick fireplaces, Gerald said.

“We used to just rent out the entire house to people for special occasions,” Sonya said, “but after we moved the other business in, we started renting out just the banquet room and upstairs area.”

On Jan. 3, they moved their florist and bakery shop from the other side of town into the Parrish House and created a multi-business establishment.

The house includes a banquet room, which seats about 100 people. It was originally part carport and part game room for the grandchildren.

The second floor is designed as a tea party room and includes a sun deck. There is also a pool with a lighted fountain surrounded by a patio and a bar area for extra outside seating. Just behind the pool is a small garden area, perfect for a small, intimate outdoor wedding. Four cottages sit on the property as well.

The Parrish House is available to rent for wedding receptions, family reunions. meetings and all other special occasions.

Gerald said they are currently booking up a year in advance for weddings. Flowers, cakes and catering services are available upon request. Information and prices can be obtained by calling (229) 896-4637.

Sister’s is open for business Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m-noon. Lunch is only served in the dining room between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Parrish House stands about one mile south of downtown Adel on U.S. 41. It was built in 1868 by David Golden Hutchinson, who deeded it and several acres of land to his daughter, Mary America Hutchinson, and her husband, Archibold W. Parrish, on May 19, 1882. The two-story house was built of heart pine, and the hued sills and beams were put together with wooden pegs. The brick used in the fireplaces and pillars was made in the Puddleville Brick kiln located close to Bear Creek.

The house was later owned and remodeled by Perry M. Parrish, whose portrait was donated by her grandchildren and currently hangs in the house.

The Parrishes only had one daughter. The daughter and her husband, along with their three young sons, were involved in a plane crash. The couple died instantly but the three boys survived. They went to live with their grandmother (Perry Parrish) in the Parrish House.

They inherited the house after she passed away. She was predeceased by her husband.

Many residents have their own stories and memories of Mrs. Parrish and her elaborate house. Gerald Griffin said, on any given day, she could be seen driving around the town in one of her two Cadillacs.

“She was a very classy, very wealthy woman,” he said, “She liked to entertain at her home. To this day, people still drive by the house just to see it. Some come in and share stories with us.”