The other day someone was asking about the old Toledo Scale Plant at Howard and Memorial.
I don’t have much on it but here’s a copy of the Fire Map from 1937. Intersting to note that back then, Ypres and Memorial were two different roads, with Memorial running out to Walker Rd. along the north side of the rail tracks…
The factory with its water tower can be seen in this aerial from the Virtual Motor City collection, dated 1933:
Finally, a few years ago I bought some old photos at an auction that belonged to a man named Charles Kirkwood, who worked for the Toledo Scale Company. He came to Windsor from Ohio sent up here by Toledo Scale, where he stayed and retired. Mr. Kirkwood passed away in the 1970’s. In the collection of photographs, was this photo of what I assume to be the office staff of the Toledo Scale operation in Windsor. The photo was taken outside of the new office building. It was so new, that the outside lights hadn’t even been installed yet…
I believe this photo dates to the 1940’s. Charles Kirkwood is the second from the right in the back row.
I’m not sure when the plant wrapped up production here, but Toledo Scale became – Mettler Toledo in 1989 with the merger with a Swiss Company. The plant was demolished around 2001-2003.
Anyone out there have any memories or relatives who worked there?
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Memorial still is a separate road, just that it's heart was cut out for Optimist Park. The second half that used to connect to Walker before the grade separation is still there.
my grandma worked there when she was young, but i don't have any stories.
are you sure it was demolished Andrew? i could swear it still has a sawtooth roof to the east. i think just the office building was demoed and replaced by the large one we see today.
thanks for the post!
Didn't the Naval Reserves use the Toledo Scale building during the war and after, until they moved into their current location?
in the late 1990's i did some railings and welding there for the new zieter med centre it appeared to be the old toledo scale building but parts were reconstructed to accommodate the a second level.
I passed my the old Toledo Scale building about that time. I know for sure that the building was renovated not demolished
Yes, part was saved, but I used to drive that way to work everyday, and I'm 99.9% certain the saw tooth part at the back came down. The front portion was renovated and turned into the Zeiter Medical building.
Re: the picture of the office staff - that's my father on the far right, John Steel. He was vice-president & general manager of Toledo Scale for many years. He retired in 1965 & passed away at the age of 87 in 1985. I remember Mr. Kirkwood as he often visited our home. I can't recognize any people but would likely recall their names. The office was located in Toronto before the war & after the war was moved back to Windsor to be beside the factory. I wish there was some way just to print that picture! (My son forwarded this to me this morning - it brought back many memories)
You have probably been asked before but , is it possible to access the fire maps you often show in your column ? How would one go about accessing said maps... ???
Fire insurance maps are available to view at the Windsor Public Library.
WANNICK - There are copies available at the Archives in the basement of the WPL and another set at the Baby Museum downtown. They are available for viewing during their hours...