From the Windsor Star, December, 31, 1974.
The end of an era
The Norton-Palmer is no moreBy PAUL VASEY
Thirty-four years ago The Border Cities Star devoted a couple of inside pages to lavish praise of an addition to the Norton-Palmer Hotel.
Now a yellow-brown clipping in a Windsor Star file, the story seems oddly out of step with a faster, more glamorous age.
The Norton-Palmer, it proclaims in the lead paragraph, “can be ranked among the finest hotels in the district.”
A few paragraphs later, it sings even higher praise.
“No expense has been spared in decorating and furnishing the place. It can be said, and without exaggeration, that the Norton-Palmer is one of the most beautifully furnished hotels in the Dominion.”
The day after the story ran “a high class Border Cities orchestra†took its place in the ballroom and played through the evening as the people of the border cities crowded in for a look during the official opening.
Amid the hoopla of those stories, there was one small sentence which stops the eye.
“If further expansion is desired, there is plenty of room for a third big annex of at least 200 roomsâ€
It was never to be, of course.
Fingering through the clipping file, you’ll find stories of strikes, of busy years, facelifts, conventions and one or two small kitchen fires.
Then there is a five-year gap.
A small item dated March 14, 1969, tells you that the Norton had been named the Hotel of the Year in Ontario in 1968 by the National Garment Salesmen’s Association of Canada — the place, that salesmen ranked best in “courtesy, co-operation and service to salesmen.”
And just to the right of that story, is another dated May 22 this year (1974), spelling the death of the old matron (that) had stood those 46 years at the corner of Park and Pelissier.
“Sale of the Norton-Palmer Hotel, is imminent the hotel will close July 20.”
A month later—another story appeared, out of Toronto, quoting the housing minister Sidney Handleman as saying that a highrise apartment building for senior citizens would be constructed on the site.
End of an era.
Down in the bar on the main floor, bartender Bill Hanson plunked a letter on the bar, shrugged, and went about his business serving customers as usual. But not for long.
The letter told him that as of July 20, he’d be out of a job.
It wasn’t the end of the world for Bill Hanson — he just started looking for another job — but he’d hoped to stay at the Norton until he retired a couple of years from then.
The same kind of letter arrived in the mail for owners and proprietors of businesses in the Norton building facing Pelissier.
One of them, Sam Kopstein, decided to close down for good and retire, after working in the jewelry business since the 20s.
Others felt the weight of the decision to close as well.
The Algonquin Club an association of history buffs who had been meeting in the hotel for 34 years held one last meeting and tried to figure out where to meet next.
Members of the 33-year-old Press Club held a similar meeting shortly afterward.
Named after owner Preston Norton, the club was formed by local businessmen who met for lunch at the hotel each Thursday.
Mr. Norton told the group, “I hate to get out, but the doctor has told me to. I have to quit this business.”
A clipping-three days later, tells the rest of the story.
“Hesitantly, with a trace of embarrassment, the female employees of the Norton-Palmer Hotel approached owner Preston Norton. They chatted then kissed him, then fled into the harsh light of the Saturday sun.â€
“The male employees were outwardly more stoic, but you could tell by the looks on their faces they hurt inside.”
——————————————————————————–
It’s a shame that Windsor lost both of her grand old hotels.
The Norton Palmer was a very attactive building, and with the recent interest in rehabbing historic hotels, there’s a good chance the NP would today be a great boutique hotel or a condo conversion.
Alas, as is usually the Windsor way it met the wrecking ball.
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A damn shame. Any interior pictures? Did they have a ballroom on the scale of the Book Cadillac? What happened to the Algonquin Club and the Press Club?
I believe the Algonquin Club is still around. The Press Club moved to the Norwich Block, and then above Papa Cheney''s near the Travelodge before folding a few years ago.
Just another sad relic replaced by an even sadder building (Victoria Park-Place). When the Norwich block came tumbling down I was shocked! I thought that maybe, just maybe the city had learned a thing or two of what NOT to demolish. As it turns out they still haven't learned a thing.
Thanks for the newspaper clipping Andrew.
I used to work part-time at the Norton Palmer smoke shop/newspaper kiosk in the main lobby. I was a teenager at that time but still recall feeling pretty special to be working in such an elegant location. I don't recall any particular resident but I do remember the sophisticated ambiance. I think I was paid 50 cents an hour!
I found an active webpage for the Press Club at 4275 Showdown Ave, Windsor, http://www.wipc.ca/ It says it's been around for 46 years. I couldn't find a webpage for the Algonquin club though.
The Press Club was there? Interesting. There were so many nooks and crannies in old-windsor for little organizations to fit in. I suppose there still is in some of the empty existing buildings -- 2nd floors and etc.
Perhaps the Algonquin Club needs some younger blood. In effect, this blog, it's many interested commentors, and some other local Windsor blogs, are the new Algonquin Club with far more presence (thanks to the internet). Perhaps you should all look into joining, if in fact it's still around. Or rejuvenate it, for the sake of tradition and perhaps more importantly, a sense of genealogy for your present-day activity. Hook it into past efforts.
In Toronto, we've tapped into a tradition of civic activism that goes back to the late 1960s when expressways were stopped and etc. We're always very conscious that we didn't invent this kind of interest, just carrying it on. I think remembering that has made "us" much more effective.
Shawn, great idea. I'm certain that there are several members who participate in this blog, who could help the Algonquin Club.
And I happen to know that the Windsor International Press Club, though losing thier bricks-and-mortar, are still breathing - though the life in them has stilled considerably. I found this contact for the Algonquin Club that describes itself as "The only cross-border historical society in North America * crosses the imaginary line that runs down the middle of the Detroit River * have been in the community for over 74 years"
Throughout the years, I have been involved in the Press Club and played a part in some of their events. All of us bloggers should get involved and play a part in moving the local definition of the term "Press" and "media" to include the work that we do. Just as it seems that The Algonquin Club needs our help as well, seeing how it's mailing address is in Kingsville.
Maybe a merger would be in order, with a shared space somewhere in the core. Us bloggers need a licensed hangout, doncha think? :)
Chris - I sent him an email asking him to send me more information about the club and I would post it, or he could come here and post it himself.
Hopefully he'll answer our queries.
As for a hangout, don't forget our next blogger meetup - Feb. 27th at Talloola in Walkerville.
I am continually reminded, through this solitary pursuit of blogging that has captured my spirit, of all the old taverns and hangouts that "The Press" used to hang out in for comradery. That is one of the only things I miss about my previous career, and why I know that I could never operate a home business.
I know the old Press Club that was located where Papa Cheneys is now used to fit that bill (unfortunately, the Norton Palmer was a little before my activist time) and was always a place that different organizations could count on to host different events and fundraising activities. I imagine that it was that way for decades.
I read a book a while back called "Bowling Alone" about how, as a society, we have eschewed organized groups in favour of individual pursuits, and I think it has cost us dearly as a culture and as a society. It has broken the ties that used to hold us together as a community. You can look all around us and see the results of that experiment. Our election turnout numbers walk in tandem with our social connections and civic responsibilities.
Or maybe I just want a "place where everybody knows your name" like I did in college. :)