Today’s entry comes as a suggestion from long time reader Barbara, who told me that she often drives down University on her way to work, and has always noticed these two older houses on California, just south of University. The one on the east side of the road has recently had the windows on the lower floor boarded up.
Hopefully it isn’t destined for life as a parking lot, but given its proximity to the University, and the U’s love of surface lots, it’s probably likely. I don’t have much information about them. From looking at them, I would guess this one to be from around 1900. The 1923 directory lists two tenants:
Jas. Cassidy was listed as a watchman with the Michigan Central Railroad.
Chas. Cassidy was listed as a mechanic working at the Ford Motor Company.
Not sure if they were father and son or two brothers…
Across the street on the west side is this house. This would I would guesstimate to a little older, probably dating from around 1890 or so.
The 1923 directory lists Malcolm Dunlop, no job given, as being the tenant here.
A little glimpse back into old Sandwich, hopefully they don’t end up as black top.
Thanks for pointing them out Barbara.
A month back, I was sitting in the Subway across the street (University), two ambulances pulled up to the second house you have listed, went inside, did their thing, came out and left. Then two police cars came, a cruiser and a supervisor’s SUV, followed by an undertaker service vehicle.
Possibly an elderly tenant of this place had passed away, which unfortunately may mean that this house will be pulled to fit the bill of, as you suggested, another University parking lot (or perhaps parking garage).
I know I’ve seen other houses in Windsor that look exactly like the one in picture 3. Is this a house kit like those Sears house kits in the 1930s? Is it because it was built by the same builder who used the same architect drawings? If so, I think it’d be interesting to know who the builder was and what happened to them. Anyone?
I lived in a house just like the second one in Kingsville years ago and they are all over the county. David might be on to something!
You can imagine Jas. Cassidy’s commute, up and over the Bridge just after it opened and over to the Michigan Central Terminal. Did he drive? Was there a bus? I think he must have walked from the bridge, through Detroit at Zenith.
Shawn – he could have worked on the Windsor side. The rail tunnel was owned by the MCR at the time. The Michigan Central Station in Windsor was around Tecumseh & Wellington area.
http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=87
The first house pictured has been falling into disrepair for at least 15 years (or more). I recall a renovation around the early 90s, but it was never completed and it never appeared that there was anyone actually living in the house. I could be wrong about this, but to all appearances that first house has been vacant for a long time.
The Michigan Central had a HUGE presence in Windsor in those days, both passenger and freight service. What is now the CN Van De Water Yard is what’s left of the Michigan Central Windsor yard, but that yard used to sprawl just as much on the east side of Dougall Rd. as well. In where the Roundhouse Center is was once all rail yards, and employed many people in this city. The old Roundhouse wasn’t torn down until the 1980s to make way for the shopping plaza (which was about 70% vacant last time I was there).
The old Michican Central rail yards and maintenance facilities in Windsor might make a great topic for I.M. 🙂 It’s nice that at least a portion of it remains in operation by CN, but it’s a small shadow of what once was.
Walked by that first house daily when I was going to school and had a gf in that neighborhood.
Ah, MCR was in Windsor. I recall when the station burned in ’96. Thanks.
WFW, Andrew — why is the CN yard called “Van De Water”? Don’t recall that name coming up before.
Van De Water Yard is named after a high ranking official with CN at the time when they purchased the old Canada Southern rail line from Conrail. George Van De Water was apparently the person who orchestrated the deal, and the yard was later named after him
Andrew, if i’m remembering right, this is the home my grandpa grew up in!
sorry…321 is the home
Aaron – the bottom photo is 321.
I think you are right on with the dates Andrew. If I remember correctly, I believe both houses were owned by the same individual.
Walking to the University, and many times past these two houses, I remember seeing an older woman at both.
I am Pres. of Windsor West Homeowners Assoc. I live a short distance from these two homes. I am sorry to say that on Monday of this week the 321 address came to it’s end. The 330 address is slated for demo on Wed. of this week. I was able to go into the 330 address and salvage a few things with the permission of the U. It is sad though that unless someone happens upon the sight early on Wed. some very beautiful plater moldings will be destroyed along with a great deal of original glass. It is true that both homes were owned by the same person and I also believe that she grew up in the 330 address. It is very likely that her family built the 330 address in the 1890’s or there about. She was a late in life graduate of the UofW and she and her duaghter were remembered today by a retired prof of the U and his wife. Her name was Catheryn Cassidy Forythe… I hope I have the spelling correct. If her family should ever read this please take note that some of Mrs. Forsythe’s greeting cards from family and friends including from her graduation and a few family pictures are safe at my home and would gladly be delivered to the family upon request. Otherwise, they will be added to collection of noteworthy items regarding this historically significant neighborhood. Now, the challenge for Andrew, since you believe that your grandfather grew up a 321 California and we know that the Cassidy family lived across the street you should take time to find someone from the Cassidy or Forsythe family that might have old pictures or stories to tell and share. It could be fun.
Bob
The smaller house on the west side of the street was just torn down yesterday!
and I bet nothing nothing was salvaged other than what Bob was able to get. How sad.
If anyone is interested- We have an annual labor day party on Askin Blvd. in the 400 block. It would be nice for people who are interested in historic properties and neighborhoods to come and join in the fun. Although it is held on Askin it is a neighborhood event. Last year there was media coverage and there was entertainment. We hope to have the same this year.
bob
The Blob that ate West Windsor continue its march. This fine example of early last century domestic architecture is now another parking lot,
Yeah, that blob is called the UofW.
There are still some interesting older houses left on California, that have yet to be demolished, but probably will be. There is one in the 700 block on the West side, just North of the railway line, and another one further north on the West side, surrounded by parking lots and University land.
Less than a week after my last comment, and one of those houses (641/643?) is now gone. Looks like the University needed more parking lots. It is still visible on Google Maps (http://imgur.com/c7Xtx.jpg). There is also still the one houses left on that block, at 849? It isn’t visible on google maps, as it is surrounded by trees.
The blog continues to eat West Windsor.
The last house on the block has recently been demolished as well.