Back in 2014, I posted about the Honeymoon Nest the Walkerville Tourist Camp, but had no additional information at the time. Then a few months ago, I was browsing the SWODA when I came across the same image, this time in postcard format, and I figured that this one must have a story that would be worth further investigation.
Seeing as I had now come across a second printed version of this image, I figured there’s got to be something behind this… So the next step was to figure out where the Walkerville Tourist Camp was located. Searing through old newspapers, I found this article from June 15, 1929:
In Four-Acre Grove
One of the most attractive tourist parks in the vicinity is the Walkerville tourist camp park four miles out on Walker Road. The camp occupies a four-acre grove and has a number of well-equipped huts which have been recently constructed. There is running hot and cold water in the camp and every facility for cooking. Other features of the camp are a dancing pavilion, baseball diamond and several Shetland ponies for the amusement of children. At night, the park is illuminated. An innovation which is unique for honeymooners has been introduced by W. J. Renaud, proprietor of the park. He has built a bungalow in romantic surroundings, perched high in a tree, and which is reached by a winding stairway. It is of rustic construction but has every possible convenience, including electric light. There is a delightful little porch out in front. The bungalow is built between an elm and a hickory tree. It is called “The Honeymoon Bungalow” and is exclusively reserved for honeymooners. Cars in the park that were seen this week bore licenses from states as far removed as Maine and California.
A search through old ad’s and articles narrowed the park’s location, to being 1 mile south of Walker Road, and just south of the CPR tracks. It’s remains unclear if it was located on the east or west side of Walker Road. But I continued to hunt for the story behind the photo… When I found this blub from May 31, 1929:
So at least the story behind the photo had been uncovered! Now to see if I could find who the couple in the photo was. Then after going through the paper, day after day, on June 4, 1929 the mystery was solved, as I found the article below:
COMPLETED just in time for the accommodation of June’s brides and grooms, “Honeymoon Bungalow” in the Walkerville tourist camp, had its first tenants yesterday. They are Mr. and Mrs. Jack Williams, of East Windsor, who were married yesterday afternoon by Rev. M. C. Davies in St. George’s church, Walkerville. The happy couple are shown on the steps leading up to their airy honeymoon nest.
So it appears that it was Jack & Isabelle Williams were the lucky couple. Maybe they’re your grandparents? Would love to find out how things went for them.
Re: the Walkerville Tourist Camp, is it possible this camp evolved into the All Seasons Motel at the corner of Walker and Cabana/Hwy 42 (which becomes Hwy 2)? I recall when they built the adjacent car washes next to the motel, they tore down some old lodge type buildings that were mostly hidden by the trees and overgrowth back there at the time. I think there may have been an article on International Metropolis about those “ghost” structures?
I love this! We have lost so much of our interesting history here in Windsor. Have you had much luck finding old digitized maps or aerial photos?