Sadly, what should be one of not only Walkerville’s, but also one of Windsor’s grandest homes, has been slowly spiraling into a massive pile of crap.
This house on Ontario Street, was built by rum runner Harry Low during the prohibition era. Following Low’s ownership the house was owned from the 1950’s until the early 1990’s by Paul Martin Sr.
The house has been in need of a new roof for longer than a decade, and the exterior wood trim is starting to deteriorate. Earlier this year, the property owner attempted to sever the property creating two lots. It was rejected by City Council as was a subsequent appeal to the OMB. I have recently noticed that the once grand hedge around the corner of the property has been very poorly hacked down and mangled.
Great curb appeal on a house that’s for sale. In fact it doesn’t look very lived in these days.
Here is the house back in 2003 when it looked much better. Note the hedges.
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Anyone know if this property is designated heritage? If so, there are minimum standards, that need to be maintained including a sound roof, etc. I wonder if the city sees a need for an inspection.
i cringe everytime i pass by this house. when we were kids we used to walk past it all the time after school and called it the "gingerbread house". i'm thinking about starting a campaign or something to try and salvage it from deterioratinig any more. not sure what that would involve but who knows what would come of it.
Sadly it is not designated. What a shame indeed.
Amazing how quickly such deterioration can occur - the weed-choked pathway to and the removal of the vines form the house are striking.
Mandy - Thanks for chiming in... I haven't forgotten about you, I've just been stupid busy this week.
I will get that stuff I promised to you shortly.
I live right around the corner from there. Your photo comparisons are awesome, I had no idea the ivy was removed from the brick even.. of course I guess you don't notice those things when you see it often. It saddens me everytime I drive past; the house appears so withered and greying. Why can't treasures like that fall into caring hands? I always say if I win 6/49 that I'd purchase it and add a law library/walkerville museum.
Does anyone know about the enormous oak pannelled tunnel that Harry Low connected to that house? How big is it? Does it go as far as the street? Does it connect to the maid's house? I had someone who was in there one tell me he saw part of it, but he didn't know how far it extended. He told me that mobsters would hold secret meetings with Harry Low there. Harry Low would hide stuff in the tunnel. And, even MP Paul Martin Sr would hold secret meetings with former PM Pierre Trudeau and John Defenbaker there.
If that's not worth a heritage designation, I don't know what is?
I have been away from Windsor for 52 years and now live in Pointe Claire, a suburb of Montreal. I'm interested to know about Sandwich. I'm interested to see the old Sandwich Post office. If my memory seves me right it was on the corner of Mill and Sandwich streets.
Thank you for bringing back memories of my home town.
Sincerely,
Robert (Bob) Rodd
Bob - I would be happy to get that for you. Check in early next week. It is still there on that same corner. Post your old address, and I'd be happy to get you a picture of your old house too while I'm out there...
The house looks like it would cost a fortune to restore. Still, its' worth saving.