From the Windsor Daily Star – December, 1935:
- As the Detroit shoreline is broken by the nocturnal shafts of huge electrical signs of large industrial plants, so is that of the Canadian side pierced by blazing beacons of artistic illumination. The products of many of Windsor’s larger industries are emphasized by mammoth electric signs, which create an imposing background of night lights of singular beauty and attractiveness.The imposing industrial plant of the British-American Brewery occupies an area one block square fronting Sandwich from Bruce to River Street and Sandwich to Pitt Street. On the Sandwich street side fronting the Detroit river a large electric sign blazes forth the name of this concern and its products. Malt products from Ontario-grown barley and grain, consumed in this industry, materially contribute towards the welfare of the agricultural section of the province. This plan is the largest of its kind in this area, and one of the major brewing concerns in the Province of Ontario.
Above is the 1935 Fire Insurance Map. The east side of the brewery was bounded by River avenue, that street is now long gone.
Why is it Windsor got rid of their impressive signs? The Canadian Club one especially?
I would have loved to see Windsor at night from Detroit long ago.
It seems to me that “River Ave” must have been renamed as Church Street. This has to be the old art gallery property. I must say the night view of this building is quite haunting.
Church is farther to the east. IRivert Street has been obliterated, maybe parts of it live on below the sculpture park.
“Why is it Windsor got rid of their impressive signs? The Canadian Club one especially?”….
These signs were originally the main form of advertising for companies back then, before the advent of TV and colour magazine reproduction… The design, and construction, maintenance and repair costs of neon tubing is very high, and it takes skilled people to do the work — generally a lost art today. Rear-lit fluorescent with computer generated translucent plexiglas signage took over because of cost and loss of neon artisans…. plain and simple. There were many neon signs in this area, all the way into the 1970’s. I personally prefer the neon, and hope for a major comeback – we will see.
It would be nice!
Shawn windsor at nite or day was better back then than it is today back in the late 50’s 60’s it was lite up like a christmas tree you should have seen the sign EPPS sporting goods had it was where Cheetahs is today it was all neaon and actually moved
I would love that. It’s a shame all is lost.
Neon signs were and still are top notch.
Andrew, I would love to have a look at that map for the area. I never knew there was a River St.! SO I would like to take a look if you have time? Never know I might find something else in the neighbourhood.
is this the old brewery that the interim casino was in ??
My father worked on the sales staff of British American Brewery. The building that the cassino oppened in was an addition to let the product age. No sooner was the addition built that the brew master was sent to learn the process of pasteurizing beer from Fosters in Australia. Thus no more need to age beer in a warehouse.
The tunnel barbeque also had a moving neon sign….a butcher chasing a chicken, back in the ’50’s