I got an email last week from regular reader Ross, who asked about the old Purity Dairy Building at 1501 Howard Ave.
The old building has under gone many name changes over the years, but it was built in 1929 by local architects Shepard & Mason. The building was altered and added on to 1997.
Luckily the main focal point of the building, the main tower was left unaltered.
There is some interesting architectural sculpture above the windows on the lower floor of the tower.
Moo! Quite possibly the only animal architectural sculpture on any building in Windsor.
A look inside the windows of the tower reveals not much happening on the ground floor.
Any Windsorites have any memories of this place?
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Thanks Andrew for posting this on the site, this building really peeks my curiosity, unfortunately, many of the original architectural features on the inside of this building are gone, I work in this building, and it's been completely modernized. It will be great to see what my fellow windsorites can remember! I'd be very excited to see older pictures of the building. It's yet another fantastic look at our past, and it's an unfortunate reminder that not everyone is keen on preserving our historic buildings here in Windsor.
Funnt enough, I have never noticed the animal sculpture on the front of the building. I was told that this building was once called Twin Pines, and Silverwoods. Anyone know anything of either of these two names?
Did Shepard & Mason architects also do Kennedy High School?
Is that building vacant or occupied?
I don't know about those other two names but I remember it was Ault Dairy before it closed.
David - Kennedy was designed by David Cameron. The building is occupied.
John - I too remember it as Ault Daires when it closed as well.
It used to be full of mixed-use businesses in the mid -1990's until the early 21st century. One of the largest tenants being The LioneHeart Collection (now on Howard near Paints n Partners) which is a home furnishing store, with some great items you can't find anywhere else. There used to be a hair salon as well and I believe it was housed in the front where the turret is.
I too remember it being Twin Pines & Ault Dairy.
Memories! yup, LOL! I grew up just down the street and I remember they used to park all the Sealtest and Silverwood trailers in the lot next to Gignac Park, we played on those tyhings all the time...I remember running around the back of that place on Highland at night as well and playing on the outdoor rollers conveyor they had that shipped things out to the trucks.....
RE: Sammy...
Was Gignac Park the property where that huge factory is across from the building in question, I don't remember seeing any parks in the area today?
RE: Me...
I do work in the building now, The upper level is home to RJR Transportaion, and an Architect firm, and the lower level houses the Spa/Salon as mentioned, and a Window Covering Shop, with a really nice variety of coverings, and window dressings. There is also a community living organization in the front section on Shepherd. Many sections of the building are vacant, and on the second floor the original frt elevator still exsists.
Too bad nobody has any pictures from back in it's hay day...LOL
Again Andrew thanks for posting...
Ross, Gignac park Is there. If I remember correctly it is behind the medical buildings on Tecumseh Rd & howard.
The building you are thinking of is Veltri Stamping. It used to be the Kelsey-Hayes Rim factory. The block that houses the Price Chopper, Burger King...is where the old Chrylser truck plant used to be. I watched them tear that down during french classes when I went to Kennedy Collegiate back in the '80s.
I need some window convering so I will check them out. Thanks.