This postcard from 1938, shows Windsor’s Norton-Palmer hotel, as well as the sister hotel acorss the river in Detroit, the Hotel Norton.
The back of the card reads:
NORTON-PALMER HOTEL
NORTON HOTEL
Winsdor, Ont. – Detroit, Mich.
MODERN – FIREPROOFSituated in the centre of down-town
district overlooking the beautiful Detroit
River and convenient to all roads of
transportation. Cafeteria, Grill, Golf,
Fishing, Boating, Hunting.Preston D. Norton, Manager.
Rates from $1.50
The Norton Palmer stood on the N.W. corner of Park St. & Pelissier. It was demolished in the 1970’s, and a hideous condo tower sits in its place.
A shame–is it Royal Windsor Terrace on this site? Just think of this place today–renovated a la Book-Cadillac…would be a real gem downtown.
It would be Victoria Park Place (150 Park St. W) — Royal Windsor Terrace is on the other side of Pelissier.
I remember when VPP was built, it seemed like Toronto was on the map, glass elevators and all. It’s a hulking beast though — and in recent years, has a run down, sketchy feel to it.
There are a few modern apartment buildings along Ouelette that do retain some big-city glamourous feel to them. In particular, the short one just south of Tecumseh, right before the west side of Jackson Park starts. Always loved that building, wish Windsor (and Toronto) had more.
After helping my mom clean out some “stuff” from her house, we’ve come across a drinking glass from the Norton Palmer Hotel. During conversation with my mom, I’ve learned that my GrandFather was an employee of the Hotel. Seems to have been a very interesting hotel and am hoping to learn more.
my dad was a janitor for the city of windsor public library system and for some reason the norton palmer came under it’s jurisdiction briefly and i remember going there a few times,to me it was grand as was the carnegie library and willistead,fond memories for sure…
Anyone know the architect?
The architect of the Windsor one was Hutton & Souter of Hamilton, Ontario.
Not sure who built the Detroit one, but it would have been a US firm.
I have a letter written on this hotels letterhead stationary picturing the hotel (Detroit)
It is dated March 9, 1929 and was written by a sales agent that worked for the company I am now retired from. If anyone is interested in this you can reach me at “slauber@woh.rr.com”
My husband Stanley and I and my brother Peter lived in Windsor while going to the University. We frequented the Norton Palmer Hotel pub occassionally and when we heard that it was to be torn down, we attended the auction of hotel furnishings. Among other things, my husband and I bought three stained glass windows from the pub – one has elaborate ironwork in its frame, looking like a griffin – we framed the glass windows in their original size in a heavy steel frame with hooks, so we could hang them. If anyone is interested, I would sell the two windows I currently have to someone who would appreciate them for the memories they had in that pub in the city of Windsor. If interested, I will email you pictures. My email is suzannebielak@rocketmail.com The Windsor Star did a story on our purchase of the windows – I think I still have that as well.
In a box of discarded photos I came across photos of the Hotel being built March 1927. If anyone is interested please email me. mcratterson@hotmail.com
My Grand-Father, Alfred Jackson was the chief interior decorator of the Norton Palmer Hotel for years. He once took me on the roof of the building, when I was just a child. It was a magnificent building in its day, and it is too bad it was torn down.