Blast From The Past
May 14, 2007
Looking through some old photos I had, I came across these. This was when the old Forest Furniture on the S.W. corner of Ottawa & Pierre Streets, had just closed.
The building was being gutted, and for a brief time the orignal 1950’s decor became exposed before…
Ouellette Avenue Late 1950's
May 11, 2007
Ouellette Avenue is a hub of activity in this classic street shot, in the days before Devonshire mall, and urban disinvestment. Note the Metropolitan Department Store on the left. On October 26, 1960, a gas leak exploded inside the store killing 11, in one of Windsor’s…
St. Alphonsus Rectory
May 10, 2007
This one was still standing until the last tunnel plaza expansion. The house was demolished in 1993. It was a very rare (the last one in the city?) local example of French Second Empire Style architecture. They were a dime a dozen when they were first built, but Windsor’s managed to demolish all of theirs. Now if you want to see any Mansard Roofs you need to head either to Detroit or…
Ouellette Looking North - 1930's
May 9, 2007
A few postcards from the archives over the next few days. This one is a night view, looking north up Ouellette Ave. towards the intersection with Wyandotte St. You can see a southbound streetcar coming towards the camera. The old Bridge sign on the corner is something else.
Statler Motel
May 8, 2007
On March 7th., I featured a post on Boose’s Tourist Camp.
This Post card is the same location, but in the late 1950’s. By this point it was known as the Statler Motel. I’m sure it was no realtion to the US Chain of Statler Hotels, one of which was located…
Top Hat Supper Club
May 7, 2007
Today we take a visit over to the long vacant Top Hat Supper Club. Along with the Elmwood and the Metropole on Walker Road, the Top Hat hosted numerous famous performers over the years.
A few years back the Top Hat went under and closed its doors. Today, the building is used for its parking lot.
There has been talk of demolition with Burger King looking to relocate to the site, moving from its…