Last week we stopped by 39 Beverly Road, a lovely English Cottage style residence designed by Carey and Esselstyn for lawyer William H. Wells in 1927.
This week we stay with the theme of English Cottage style residences to present the story of 70 Moran, “Sunnycroft”, designed by William F. Goodrich in 1916-17, for Cornelia Anderson, widow of William K. Anderson (who passed in 1909). The property was partially demolished in 1946 and fully razed in 1957.
As the photo below demonstrates 70 Moran was a stunning residence created in an English Cottage style. This approach was popular in many areas of the United States from 1915 to 1940, not only for large residences, but for smaller homes too. Typical characteristics associated with this approach include an asymmetric configuration, a steeply pitched roof, large flat chimneys, arrangements’ of tall narrow windows, and multiple smaller windows (in bands). There are many fine examples of English Cottage style homes throughout Grosse Pointe. 70 Moran was a particularly nice example. Image courtesy of: Michigan Architect and Engineer, Volume 2, 1920.
We do not know how big “Sunnycroft” was – the house, or the lot, however, it is clear the interior of the home featured many wonderful, hand-crafted details including wood paneling, large decorative fireplaces, and beamed ceilings. The main floor had a drawing room with a grand fireplace, French doors and a library alcove. From there the living room could be accessed via two steps and an archway. The spacious paneled dining room also had French Doors, as did the striking logia that could be reached from the entrance hall. Images courtesy of: Michigan Architect and Engineer, Volume 2, 1920.
The formal garden was also rather impressive. An upper terrace at the front of the residence featured an abundance of large trees, while a more formal lower terrace - with a pond, well-kept borders, and beautiful lawns - created a beautiful landscape at the rear of the home. The garden is an excellent example of some of the large, formal gardens that were found throughout Grosse Pointe during the early twentieth century. Despite several nationally renowned landscape architects coming to work in Grosse Pointe during this era it is not clear who designed the gardens at 70 Moran. Images courtesy of: Michigan Architect and Engineer, Volume 2, 1920.
The late William Kyle Anderson was born on 24 March 1847 in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1847. He was educated in his hometown, and then attended Michigan University, graduating in 1868. He then completed his education at the University of Berlin. It was reported he began his career as a cashier at a savings bank in Owensboro. In 1877 he returned to Detroit as manager of the Detroit Seed Co, and subsequently became a director of several companies owned by the Newberry-McMillan corporations. He then went onto the position of first vice-president and director of the Detroit Savings Bank, along with continually being associated with Senator McMillan and John S. Newberry. It is understood due to Mr. Andersons close association with the Macmillan and Newbury families he became interested in the pointes and built a summer home at the foot of Moran Road. Source: Grosse pointe News (February 1962). In 1897, Mr. Anderson was appointed consul to Hanover Germany by President William McKinley at which point the couple rented their summer home in Grosse Pointe. He returned to the United States in 1900 and went back to banking.
William Anderson married Cornelia Martha Cook in 1870 and they had a daughter, Catherine. Conelia was the daughter of Joseph Cook, whose father Abraham had owned the Cook Farm which would become Indian Village. They were married for 39 years, until Mr. Anderson’s death on 28 August 1909. Source: Grosse pointe News (February 1962).
After William Andersons passed, and before World War I Mrs. Anderson commissioned William F. Goodrich to design a new home, 70 Moran. It was reported Cornelia Anderson “sold their white pillared summer home to Hugo Scherer and moved to her new home, 70 Moran, “Sunnycroft”, which she had built on the cow pasture of her former summer residence.” Architect, William Goodrich was reputedly a man of many talents - while there is very little written about him, personally or professionally, we understand he had an office in Detroit and worked on numerous projects - from creating plans for an enormous 800 room hotel in Grosse Pointe Shores (in 1914) to designing several homes in Grosse Pointe. We will be featuring more of William Goodrich’s work next week.
In 1922, it was reported 70 Moran was leased to Mr. Hiram Walker for a period of two years. it appears Mrs. Anderson and her daughter had gone to live in New York – they then retook possession of 70 Moran in May 1928. The following year, in 1929, it was reported, “with Hugo Scherer, Mrs. Anderson subdivided some of the property to form Merriweather Road. Source: Grosse pointe News (February 1962).
Following Cornelia Anderson’s death on 15 June 1940, it is understood the Anderson’s daughter Catherine and her husband Charles L. Frederick moved into the property. It is reported 70 Moran was partly demolished in 1946, followed by a complete demolition in 1957, at which point the land was subdivided. It is now the location of a new residence, and two homes on Moran Court. Many of the magnificent trees still exist from the estate, between the area of Moran and the adjacent part of Merriweather Road.
* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.
Written by Katie Doelle
Copyright © 2026 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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