Last week we presented the history of 70 Moran, “Sunnycroft”. This fine estate was designed by William Goodrich in 1916-17, for Cornelia Anderson. The property was partially demolished in 1946 and fully razed in 1957.
This week we delve deeper into the work of William F. Goodrich who created several fine homes in Grosse Pointe during the first half of the twentieth century.
William Goodrich, born on 6 August 1886 in Bay City, was a man of many talents. His career evolved from designing large formal residences in the early part of the 20thcentury, creating innovative homes with ‘artistic lines’, to producing some classic Colonial homes. It is clear he was a man with a deft touch for creating something out of the ordinary.While there is very little written about him, personally or professionally, we understand he had an office in Detroit and worked on numerous projects throughout the area. It appears one of his earliest connections with Grosse Pointe was in 1914, when he began creating plans for an enormous 800 room hotel in Grosse Pointe Shores. An article in Electrical World (Volume LXIII - January 3 to June 27, 1914) - reported “plans were being prepared by architect William F. Goodrich for the construction of a summer hotel, which required a power plant to be erected in connection with the hotel.” While the hotel was never built it paved the way for Goodrich to create several homes in Grosse Pointe.
70 Moran
One of his earliest projects was this grand English Cottage style residence designed 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.
87 and 115 Lewiston
In 1919, Goodrich, who had recently returned from military service (discharged as a first lieutenant after serving in Humphries, VA), created these two virtually identical Federal style homes for the Alexander Lewis Realty Company.Typical characteristics of this architectural approach include a simple rectangular structure with a flat façade and a flat roof, limited decorative elements, and an abundance of large windows across the front elevation arranged individually in strict horizontal and vertical lines. It has been suggested by many historians that the Federal style is a refinement of the Georgian style, however compared to the more elaborate Georgian style Federal inspired homes tend to be notably understated.
87 Lewiston is a 4,600 sq ft brick home features some stunning details, including 9 ½ ft ceilings, a large living room and dining room, along with four bedrooms and a sunroom. At some point, during the 1930’s or 1940’s the house was owned by Mrs. Julia (DuCharme) Marigliano – she was also known as Duchess del Monte. Julia was born in Detroit on 14 October 1869, she married Francesco Marigliano, Duke del Monte, in 1909. Ms. Del Monte listed 87 Lewiston for sale in 1950. She then lived with her sister, Mrs. Cyrus E. Lothrop, for a short period of time. She passed in September 1959, in Naples Italy.
Below is a photo of house number 115 Lewiston. As you can see it is built in the same style and similar spec to its close neighbor.
Further Homes on Lewiston
It appears Goodrich was commissioned by the Alexander Lewis Realty Company to build several more home on the Lewis Subdivision on Lewiston – the ad and image below is from the Detroit Free Press (August 1919). The article describes the home as “following simple, yet artistic lines, with ‘the interior of the house designed to facilitate efficiency in housekeeping.”
It was also reported in an earlier article (May 1919) that Goodrich “planned on building a group of hollow tile stucco residences on the new ‘Lewis Boulevard’, for the Alexander Lewis Realty Company.” It is not clear if all these homes were built.
515 University Place
In 1924, Goodrich designed 515 University Place. The Colonial style home displays all the classic traits of this architectural style, including a symmetrical front facade, central entrance, along with multiple multi-panel rectangular windows. It is believed the interior has 9’ ft ceilings, mahogany woodwork, along with a cherry paneled library.
1325 Bedford
Also in 1924, Goodrich worked on 1325 Bedford in Grosse Pointe Park, which had a very different look and feel to his previous projects in the community.
961 Westchester – 1925 - Image courtesy of GoogleEarth
1337 Berkshire - 1925 - Image courtesy of GoogleEarth
400 Lakeland – 1925 - Image courtesy of GoogleEarth
This English Manor has large circular stairs with an elegant carved oak stair rail, a formal dining room, pecan paneled library, and three large fireplaces.
875 Pemberton
Several years later, in 1935, he designed 875 Pemberton. A departure from his earlier work - the design bares all the traits of the popular brick Colonial homes that were being constructed during the 1930’s.
It is apparent William Goodrich had a long and successful career. The style of homes he was designing clearly evolved with the architectural trends of the respective era(s). Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see the plans for the hotel he had intended on creating in Grosse Pointe Shores.
* 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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