Today’s shot is looking at the southeast corner of Ouellette & Chatham in the spring of 1920. This shot shows the then newish Merchant’s Bank on the corner, with the former Ouellette House, that once stood on the corner, just to the east. A busy spring morning, with lots of pedestrians and the streetcar cruising into the frame. There sure were many grand buildings in Windsor’s past that have been lost over the years.
Was the Ouellette House the original home of Jean Baptiste Ouellette after whom the street was named? Ouellette had inherited it when he married the daughter of Baptiste Goyeau. The home was shown on an 1835 map of downtown Richmond (the future Winsor). Not sure when Chatham Street was formed but it was shown on an 1881 map of Sandwich West. Was the Ouellette home turned into a kind of hotel/tavern?
I believe you’re absolutely correct, Lanny. The place morphed in later years into nightclubs under the names Commodore and Jason’s. Back in my day, I remember Grinnell’s Piano and Music store which was yet to be built to the right of the bank behind where the streetcar is located in the photo. The Canadian Pacific telegraph and ticket office would be off the photo to the left, with its line of bicycles used by boys for home delivery of telegrams. The building became the home of Shanfields-Meyers gift shop. Yet to be built, by the looks of the photo, were the famously historic underground washrooms which provided relief during a long day of shopping. They were located on both sides of Chatham Street on the east side of Ouellette Ave. As a kid, I remember them as being “spooky” places, but, when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go!
Thanks for the reminder of the “catacombs” Bob. Went down once out of curiosity as a kid and never again!
Wonderful image. Thanks.