Having grown up at the other end of this block, I have always admired this house located at 936 Windermere.
It was built in 1916 and was designed by local architect J.C. Pennington, for Charles Porter. Porter was an early automotive executive, acting as manager of the American Auto Trimming factory which was located on the east side of Walker Road, between Edna Street and the junction with Niagara.
According to the Windsor Public Library site on auto history (linked to above):
- American Auto Trimming Co. Ltd.
Walkerville, 1911 – 1925
The formation of this company was the beginning of the long association between Frank Joyce and Benjamin Gotfredson of Detroit with the City of Windsor. Gotfredson started the American Auto Trimming Co. in Detroit in 1909 and the American Auto Trimming Co. of Walkerville in 1911.
The company was set up to paint and trim touring car bodies and by the 20’s it was the largest paint and trim company in North America, with operations in Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles to name a few.
The American Auto Trimming Co of Walkerville was put in place to provide paint and trim for the Model Ts built by the Ford Motor Company of Canada.
Benjamin Gotfredson and Frank joyce also established the Gotfredson Truck Corp. and merged the two companies in 1925 to form the Gotfredson Corp.
A nice well kept house, and another part of Windsor’s past.