Windmill Pointe is a regional treasure in the Grosse Pointe area, originally established in 1712. Today this affluent location provides an impressive representation of local history supported by its grand residences, majestic windmill, and transformation from Presqu’ile, almost an island, to the luxurious destination it is today.
Windmill Pointe is one of the most iconic and respected areas in the Grosse Pointe communities. Established in 1712, it holds a prestigious place in local history. Windmill Pointe celebrated the historic achievement of Sunnycroft, the lost estate of Mrs. William K. Anderson that was completed in 1919 and designed by William F. Goodrich before being demolished in 1957.
This home was one of many grand residences built in the area during the early 20th century when the region was rapidly transforming into a year-round residence. Improved roads to Detroit coupled with the advent of the car made it increasingly popular for wealthy Detroiters and professionals to relocate to the suburbs, sparking an influx of grand homes in a range of architectural styles including English Manor, French Renaissance, Tudor, Georgian, and Colonial. Today, Windmill Pointe is still a fashionable destination, its rich history and beauty providing a source of pride for Grosse Pointe residents.
Windmill Pointe has come a long way since its days as Presqu’ile, the French word meaning “almost an island”. In the early 18th century, a stone windmill was built at the entrance of the Detroit River and east of the original mouth of Fox Creek, and the area was forever known as Windmill Pointe. The map below is from Grosse Pointe Township in 1876, and a painting by Robert Hopkins before 1900 shows the windmill as it looked in the mid-1700s – a testament to the pride and progress of this area.
William B. Moran, born in Detroit in 1846, had great vision and ambition when he purchased Grand Marais, the “big marsh” in 1876. After extensive research, Mr. Moran determined that a clay base lay only a few feet below the surface of the marsh, making drainage a feasible plan. Partnering with his cousin, Charles G. Moran, the two went on to form the Windmill Pointe Development Company. With the help of the State Legislature, the County Drain Commission was empowered to build dykes and ditches around the area, allowing the Morans to transform the land into what is now known as Windmill Pointe.
In the 1920s, this area quickly grew into a beautiful community with many sought-after properties, including 15324 Windmill Pointe, home of R.W. Judson. Believed to be built on the original site of the historic windmill, the only piece of the past that remains is a historic French missionary pear tree situated on the grounds of the estate. It is one of the few remaining original pear trees in Grosse Pointe, and a testament to the Moran’s ambitious vision over a century ago.
Built-in 1927, Kasteel Batavia is a 9,931 sq ft home that features impressive brick and slate construction. Wallace Frost, the noted architect, designed this French provincial masterpiece to be the crown jewel of Grosse Pointe. With 350 feet of 6-foot flagstone walkways and over an acre of land, it truly is a majestic residence. To learn more about Kasteel Batavia, please visit The Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
Truly, Windmill Pointe has stood the test of time in its remarkable journey which spans centuries. Feathered with immense history, before and after the completion of Sunnycroft estate, this `unique area of the Grosse Point Community easily emerges as an iconic and impressive presence in the US. Indeed, generations to come will inevitably feel fortunate to have the grandeur and charm of this glorious area embedded deeply in the land around them– for Windmill Pointe has earned a dignified place in history books across the span of local record.
