Old Newspaper Stories – International Metropolis

Wyandotte Hotel

May 28, 2023

This large brick building on the north west corner of Wyandotte and Parent has had a long history as a place to grab a drink. Built in 1909, and designed by local architects Jacques & Williamson, it was erected by Alex Campeau as the Wyandotte Hotel. It was built on the site of a previous hotel which this new three story brick version replaced. It appears that it remained named the Wyandotte…

Lost Windsor Old Newspaper Stories Old Photographs

Col Prince Home Demolition - 1966

April 16, 2023

A bit of history to fall Demolition for historic building By BOB SUTTON A historic link with the Battle of Windsor is being demolished. It is the convent of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Maryvale Vocational School, 940 Prince Rd., once the home of Col. John…

Demolition Old Newspaper Stories Old Photographs

The Centre Theatre - Wyandotte Street East

December 18, 2022

Plans for an east side neighbourhood movie house, first came up in the 1930s, but the onset of the Great Depression but those plans on hold. Once the economy improved enough the onset of WWII further delayed the theatre’s arrival due to a lack of building materials.

Detroit Old Newspaper Stories Windsor

The First Fireworks - 1959

July 4, 2022

After a few years away due to COVID the annual fireworks returned to the riverfront this year in spectacular fashion. However it got me thinking about the history of the fireworks, and exactly how the first ones were handled in the media… I decided to go back through old newspapers and see how that first fireworks display was handled back in 1959. From July 4, 1959, 63 years ago…

Old Newspaper Stories Old Photographs

Downtown Laura Secord Closes - 1976

April 24, 2022

From the Windsor Star – February 27, 1976. The downtown Laura Secord shop was closing down and moving out as the Prince Edward hotel at Park & Ouellette was getting ready for demolition. STORE CLOSES — With demolition crews marshalling to bring down the…

Notable Windsorites Old Newspaper Stories

Chief Clarence DeFields 1877-1965

January 30, 2022

Today we take a look at the life and times of Chief Clarence DeFields, Windsor’s longtime Fire Chief. He was a fireman with the Windsor Fire Department from 1900-1916 when he became the chief. He served as Fire Chief for 30 years, from 1916 until his retirement at the…

Churches Lost Windsor Old Newspaper Stories

Christ The King Church and The Baseball All-Star

December 19, 2021

Formerly located at Dominion & Grand Marais in South Windsor, was the now demolished church of Christ The King. The parish was established in 1928, with plans to erect a place of worship at Curry & Richardie Boulevard, near St. Mary’s Academy. I am unable to determine if that original church was ever built. In 1946 architect J. C. Pennington drew up plans for the church at…

Notable Windsorites Old Newspaper Stories

Fred Neal - 1855-1931

September 12, 2021

Fred Neal was a local historian, who’s early work “Township of Sandwich, Past & Present” left us an invaluable record of early days in Sandwich. If you don’t have a copy, or have never read it, a copy can be found here…

Demolition Lost Windsor Old Newspaper Stories

Downtown Demolitions - 1961

July 26, 2021

From the Windsor Star – November 15, 1961. An article about the impending demolition of some buildings as part of the urban renewal plan. 12 BUILDINGS TO BE WRECKED Downtown Landmarks Included Site of Court One of Areas To Be Cleared The city is…