Today we head over to the abandoned Grace Hospital site. Many Windsorites came into the world at Grace Hospital, my Mother included back in 1946.
The photo above dates to 1920 and comes from the collection of John Stefani. Many thanks to John for scanning and sending along the photo.
Now to the former Hospital grounds. The house above caught fire and burned to the ground around 1920 IN 1960. In 1921 a new wing to Grace Hospital was built, and that is the old portion still visible. Additions were made in 1953 and 1964. Grace Hospital merged with Hotel-Dieu in the late 1990’s 2000, and closed around 1999-2000 (if someone has the correct dates, please let me know) in 1994 (thanks Lilly!). The building sits vacant with little hope of reuse, and slightly vandalized. The broken windows/exposure to the elements must be doing wonders for the structure of the 1921 building.
Another of Windsor’s Historic Buildings, completely disregarded and discarded.
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Cindy, This building is on the south west corner of Crawford Ave, and University Avenue, a block south of the Detroit River near the downtown core of Windsor.
Love the article!
Fred. On march 21st 1954 mom walked across Crawford Ave. from our house and said lets get this show on the road. A 9 lb. baby boy was born. When I was two, I was turning purple from broncial complications. To this day, I remember looking out of the oxygen tent at mom and dad standing at a doorway, dad wearing his pigama bottoms and a coat. I could have died that night. Grace was there. I remember the Thornhill family across the street. They were with the Salvation Army and I believe the father was the administrator at grace. A very dedicated kind family. I was shocked to see the condition of this once vibrant facility. Still have great memories.
On march 21st 1954, mom walked from our house across Crawford Ave. to the Grace and said lets get this show on the road. A 9 lb. baby boy was born. When I was two, I was turning purple due to lack of oxygen from broncial complications. All I remember is looking out of an oxygen ten at mom and dad standing at a doorway, dad wearing his pigama bottoms and a coat. I almost died that night. Grace was there. I remember the Thornhill family from across the street. They were with the Salvation Army and I believe the father was an administrator at grace. Very devoted and kind people. It is a shame to see this once vibrant facility go. Brings back alot of memories.
I worked at the grace site for 18 years before it closed up with me ending up at hotel dieu grace hospital doin the maintance there as i did at grace.It was a shame the way it all went down hill kinda after the salvation army stepped aside from it.Those tunnels everywhere were for heating and cooling pipes,fire sprinkler pipes and tonnes of wire for eletrical etc etc.worst part of the tunnels were working in them for hours fixing pipes or exhaust fans that were down there.any questions ya have let me know.
This makes me sick! i swear people these days have no respect for anything. My grandmother ran this place ( when it was open) so its sentamentle** to me. she passed away last march, she would be discusted if she saw this. I have big dreams for this place. I would love nothing more then to open an asylem for the mentally ill. it would be perfect here, that way these beautiful people can get the care and suport they need. It would be named after my grandma ofcrouse. But i think if we all come together as a strong willing city that we could make this happen. i mean with the asbestos and stuff we'd have to wait and see if it goes away if it doesnt then the buliding would have to be knocked down. If anyone reads this and would like to help me out on my idea dont be shy on emailing me. :) Think of how many jobs it will produce and also it will make ur taxes cheaper buy keeping these people out of jails, and keep yourseleves and children safer on the streets. Just think.
I believe I have the original admitting desk from the 1800's. At least that is what I was told in 1970 when I bought it at a silent auction. I worked in the Surgical Education Dept at the time and when I saw it I could hear it call my name. We were were living in an upstairs flat on Carson Ave and that is where I dissolved layer after layer of paint by hand so that I would not damage the wood. My husband and I are now downsizing and I wanted to get a picture of the desk when it was in use but so far cannot find it. I am going to let the desk be auctioned off and a picture would be great. Anybody know where I might find such a thing?
And to think this is where the famous Shania Twain was born..... SMH
My son just came home from an air cadet camp in Chicoutimi and he had a major stomach cramp. I took him to Grace and I was told that pediatrics was now at Hotel Dieu but, because their powerhouse was down, he could stay. Besides his appendix was about to burst and a surgeon was on the way. He was the big celebrity for the next few days with nurses popping in at all hours to see him. My daughter and yougest son were born there. I can only say shame on those from McGuinty on down to city hall who let this fiasco backfire. Someone was supposed to get rich and it didn't happen!