For the next few days, we’re going to take a look at some of Windsor’s sub-division history.
Up first, is this ad that ran in the Border Cities Star September 24, 1920. Being beside the land that was designated as the General Motors Corporation Subdivision, some developer decided to try and cash in on that, and the name of the head of GM Canada, Sam McLaughlin, with this subdivision.
As you can see by the map, the area north of the tracks to Tecumseh Rd. ended up being fairly built up, however the area south the the Tracks to Grand Marais, never really took off at the time. I think the area south of the tracks must have been McLaughlin Park II.
Note the area labeled Hiram Walker & Sons to the right of Walker. This is the area occupied today by the Chrysler Plant. It was originally a farm for Hiram Walker.
This is the area of the City where the cross streets are named after WWI battles, south of Met Hospital. Lens, Alsace, Vimy, Loraine, Verdun, Ypres, Amiens, Arras & Somme.
Most of the houses look to be of mid to late 1920’s style. I’m guessing that this new subdivision took a while to get going, as evidenced by this ad that ran December 31, 1928, eight years after the initial ad…
A sample of the houses built in the area:
This one above is probably one of my favourites in the city. It’s so different, with the recessed doorway and the use of clincker bricks.