John Charlton Dodd, the first owner of the house, immigrated to Middlesex County with his family in 1843 from Northumberland, England. With his wife, Jane Durand, Dodd fathered a family of nine children. The eldest of his sons, John G. Dodd, later joined his father in the family planing mill business, John C. Dodd and Son, as manager and later partner. Dodd, initially as a contractor, was responsible for building numerous residences and stores in the London area, as well as several school houses in Westminster. In 1878, Dodd went on to build his planing mill located at the corner of Bathurst and Wellington. This mill was quoted as being one of "the most complete and well-appointed mills in Ontario, and with facilities and the most improved machinery for turning out all kinds of building supplies in their line." As a prominent carpenter, contractor, and business owner, Dodd contributed to the physical development of the City of London and, in doing so, helped to sustain a variety of local businesses through products created at his planing mill. By 1890, the planing mill had grown to be one of the largest and oldest planing mills in the City of London.

230 Grand Avenue is a two story "L" shaped vernacular Italianate styled home dating from circa 1870. This brick veneered home exemplifies many of the local Italianate design features. These include decorative brick work arches over windows and doors, extended eaves troughs with cornice brackets, a hipped roof, and two slender chimneys. Other features of this home include the use of yellow brick for construction and both a front and rear gable. The house is also recessed further back from the street than most of the other homes in the area giving a sense of importance. Having established itself as a house of a prominent businessman, the dwelling since has had its fair share of middle and working class occupants.

Historical information researched and provided by Craig Capacchione, Masters in Public History, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.