This factory building on Seminole Street in Windsor is another relic of automotive history.
Despite being overlooked as a blown out piece of crap, this factory was home to the Canadian Motor Lamp Company. An early “tier one” supplier, CML provided headlamp and related assemblies to the automakers in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. This location was also the scene of some fierce strikes in the 1930’s as the UAW battled to represent Windsor autoworkers.
An old ad from the Windsor Star.
The plant layout on the insurance map.
Believe it or not, this building is in use.
In the shape it’s in, it must be a hazard.
Very few windows aren’t smashed in.
A peek through the smashed front window from the street, reveals a staircase to offices above? It also appears to be dunnage storage.
An addition was built on the rear a few years ago, and there were trucks coming and going on the Sunday I was there.
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I worked in this building in the early eighties @ Sunray Solar Systems.. WE made thermopane glass for the window industry..The solar part was for manufacture of solar panels for hot water solar systems... kind of a hard sell at the time ..Seminole Management and Sunray were owned by RAYCO stamping over on South Cameron Ave..After CML moved away it was owned by ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL for years until RAYCO bought it .. Regarding the stairs the left was to the womens and the right was to the mens.. many trips up those stairs.Solar panels on the roof were for testing..
Is this building accessible for photo shoots?
Is this the CLC that made Canadian Army Helmets during the Second World War Era 1939 - 1940`s
My dad worked at CML as an R&D engineer from the time he graduated university until his death in 1955. I remember going to a plant family Christmas party there - it seemed like it was "upstairs". I know I received a doll. I would only have been about 4 years old so the memories are sketchy. Dad also had his picture in the paper with one of the female workers - both of them standing in the production area holding one of the headlamps. Have the clipping but haven't been able to determine the date although I've been told that Dad was instrumental in the design of the sealed beam. Thanks for the photos and the walk down memory lane.
I worked in this bldg. when it was Seminole Management.The money was decent for the time but the working conditions were terrible..The roof leaked like asift and parts of the floor was woodblocks.After a rain the floor floated...None to very little heat in the winter and the windows were broken too.I cannot imagine how people are still working in there...That was more than 20 yearsa ago
when i was a kid i used to pass this building twice a day going to and from school the C&O main ran on the west side of the building i remember it being very noisy andrew i worked for welles corp also building school buses we did 5 frames a shift this was the plant on Metcalfe and Drouillard
CAW Local 195 which is located at 3400 Somme Ave. Windsor Ontario (office #519 253 1107)is looking for names, addresses & phone numbers if available for any retiree of Canadian Motor Lamp Company. Please respond to timlocal195@cogeco.net. Thank you for any assistance given.
I have a ww2 helmet made by c.l.c. 1941
was that made here in Windsor
any info would be appreciated
thank you
It's finally coming down! They started last week.
It is? I'll have to head out that way. My grandmother has lived just around the corner on what used to be Cadillac, all of my life. My mom grew up in the area.