While at the archives a while back looking through old Johnson-McWhinnie blueprints, this set for Ebbinghaus Electric caught my eye…
The main thing that attracted me was this crazy sign from the front. Love the lightning bolts! 1960 had much cooler signs than the last few decades ever gave us… I wondered if the place was ever built, and if it was, if it was still around. All I had to go by was a site plan that noted the location as Crawford Avenue.
So, while exploring along Crawford, sure enough, the building is still there, minus the cool sign of course.
The south elevation as drawn…
Today. A few extra windows added to the cinder block wall.
The front elevation.
A post was added to the front, likely some time later, as there is no note on the plans for one.
An interesting little building, I would love to see a photo of the sign in place. Anyone know anything about the company?
I suspect the family is still around. This list of the Past Presidents of the Windsor Electrical Contractors Association, list Robert Ebbinghaus as the president in 1969, and 1979, as well as Gregory Ebbinghaus the president in 1994 & 1995. Robert Ebbinghaus is also listed there as an honourary member.
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Nice sign, by far the most interesting aspect of the building. Without it, it would just be a box. Good to see the building still being productively used but a box is a box.
JB- agreed. If it hadn't been for the sign, I probably wouldn't have been able to find it. I was very surprised the base was still there.
Windsor was a very ambitious city back in 1960. Even forty years later the Ebbinghaus Electric building looks more modern than all of the architectural crappola [i.e-the new Burger King at the corner of University and Goyeau] that's been built in Windsor over the last decade. Too bad Windsor doesn't have the same faith in its' own future that it did in 1960.
The building was the home of Ebbinghaus Electric for many years - he passed away at least 10+ years ago - my father Donald Ebbinghaus, was Robert's cousin (about the same age)- and was also in the electrical business - but not with Robert's firm. Greg was/is Robert's son and my second cousin. I seem to remember that the building did have the sign as shown in the plans (or somewhat similar) - but I could be wrong. I believe the original colours of the building were a pale green /and or yellow + gray with the brick - but not sure about that. I think the sign was painted a light green as well with green neon or back-lit lettering. Again, if memory serves correct - the inside was done in a 1950/60's modern look. I'm an industrial designer and would love to get a copy of that drawing if I can as it is part of my families history. Feel free to contact me at ebbinghaus@leevalley.com
waaaaay back in the late 50's early 60's i had an uncle who worked for ebbinghaus electric on saturdays he worked half a day and always came home for lunch,before bringing the truck back to the shop on Crawford Ave he would always give me and my cousin a ride in the back of his pickup to the shop it was a big thrill for a 8 year old
This was the home of Ebbinghaus Electric for many years...that is true. Charles Robert Ebbinghaus...my dad....is not dead as of ten years ago..I just spoke to him tonight...so he is alive and well at 80 years old. So my distant cousin...you are incorrect on that fact...lol. I will see if I have pictures of the building....my grandfather started the business..my dad and mom....3 brothers, sister and myself all work there at some time in our lives. My father retired and closed the business as the third generation would have probably run it into the ground
Hi Beth - my apologies to you and your dad - I realized my error almost immediately -my mom corrected me- unfortunately we were never real close to your side of the family for some reason.i just never had the chance to get my fau-pa corrected until now! It would be nice to connect with you. Your dad and mine were about the same age. So other than one BIG error, were my memories of the building and sign correct? I'd like to see some pictures if you can find them. Contact me at starter3@hotmail.ca ...
Brian