Did you know Detroit has two Hunter Houses? This one, the Mulford T. Hunter House, at 77 West Hancock, is a real hidden gem. It’s a survivor, a whisper of Detroit’s grand past. Mulford T. Hunter, a captain of Great Lakes steamships, built this house in 1894. He had made his fortune on the lakes and wanted a home to match. He chose the firm of Donaldson & Meier to design his dream house in the Queen Anne style, a popular choice for the wealthy at the time. He chose well. The Mulford T. Hunter House stands as one of the few remaining Queen Anne townhouses in Detroit.
Mulford lived here with his family: his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild. Next door stood the George W. Loomer House, which Hunter also owned. He had purchased it earlier in 1891, before building his own grand residence. These two houses are the only remaining structures from the 19th century on this street. They offer a glimpse into what was once one of Detroit’s most fashionable neighborhoods. Imagine horse-drawn carriages clattering down the street, ladies in their finery strolling along the sidewalks. The Hunter House has seen it all.
The architecture of the house is striking. The red brick rises from a sturdy stone basement, giving it a sense of permanence. The front is asymmetrical, a key feature of Queen Anne design. A large bay window dominates one side, while a charming one-story porch graces the other. The porch is supported by elegant Ionic columns, and the front door features an elliptical fanlight framed by a Syrian arch. Look up. You’ll see an oval window on the second story, surrounded by decorative brickwork, a testament to the craftsmanship of the era. Leaded glass windows in the dormers add a touch of elegance.
The Hunter House wasn’t always a private residence. In 1951, it and the Loomer House next door were sold and converted into apartments. They continued to operate as apartments for decades. Fortunately, the exterior of the Mulford T. Hunter House remained largely unchanged. It stands today as a testament to a bygone era, a tangible link to Detroit’s rich history. It’s a reminder of the fortunes made on the Great Lakes and the families who built this city. The Mulford T. Hunter House is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a story waiting to be told.