One of the earliest custom-made homes in the historic Palmer Woods District, the 19395 Cumberland Way, Detroit, MI 48203 home was designed and constructed in 1926 by W. C. Morris, a prominent 20th-century Detroit architect known for his high-quality residential work during the cityβs rise and early industrial boom period.
A staple of Palmer Woodsβ curving, beautifully landscaped Cumberland Way (a stretch heavily inspired by the garden-suburb movement), the 19395 Cumberland Way home sits among some of the most impressive and stylistically diverse residences in all of the Palmer Woods district, standing as a living model of Morrisβ stunning work, which was defined by solid masonry construction, sturdy massing, and stylistic influences spanning Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Mediterranean themes.Β
While each home in Morrisβ catalog carries its own unique signature, they all place strong emphasis on proportion, intricate detailing, and long-lasting materials β all of which is observable in the 19395 Cumberland Way residence.
Built during a time when Detroit was just beginning to attract the attention of a huge wave of industrialists, business leaders, and civic professionals, the home’s distinguished construction coincided with Palmer Woodsβ formative period, when the district was developing into a premier enclave of architect-designed luxury, refinement, and exclusivity.
Today, the W. C. Morris House remains an integral part of the Palmer Woods Historic District, representing the craftsmanship, architectural ambition, and early twentieth-century design ideals that continue to define this celebrated Detroit neighborhood.

