Here’s one I’ve been meaning to post for a while. This out of place late 1920’s Tudor revival house sits on Cabana just east of Dougall.
Surrounded by strip malls and 1960’s era homes, it’s always stood out to me, like a fish out of water. Note the circular drive.
But, when the house was built, it was a showplace of the anticipated South Windsor boom of the late 1920’s. The real estate guys were right, South Windsor would boom, however, it wasn’t in 1928, but more like 1958. Those poor developers were about 30 years ahead of their time… Note how big the tree in the foreground is compared to below….
From the Border Cities Star – Saturday June 9, 1928:
BEAUTIFUL $25,000 HOME CREDIT TO SOUTH WINDSOR
_________________TAYLORS TAKE POSSESSION FIRST OF WEEK
___________21 Shade Trees Dot Picturesque Site Of Dwelling
_______
Every Modern Convenience Of Equipment and Design Included
____
Occupying one of the most picturesque and beautiful and picturesque sites in the Border Cities at the northeast corner of Dougall avenue and Cabana Road, in Southlawn Gardens, South Windsor, the new $25,000 home of Mr. & Mrs. N.J. Taylor, into which they intend to move Monday, is an inspiration in home beauty.
… Entrance to the home is provided from Cabana Road by means of an artistic red cement circular drive traversing a ground area rendered at once inviting and attractive by reason of the many beautiful trees bordering the drive. …
Other unusual features of this fine home include automatic thermostat heat control in every room, the hot water heating plant being equipped with automatic gas control. A similar device provided for the hot water tank is governed by faucet control, effective at the turning of a faucet in any section of the home. …
$25,000 1928 dollars is equivalent to about $356,844 today.
The house is featured in this ad from a local Realtor, this appeared before the house was finished, running at the end of 1927.
The 1928 ad for the South Windsor Improvement Association, also featured the home.
Interesting that the name “Southlawn Gardens” was created in the 1920s, way before the majority of the homes were built.
Too bad the traffic at that corner got so heavy.
I wonder what the inside is like?
It’s so interesting coming across these “hidden gems” in South Windsor.
Thanks for posting this.
This is a nice old home I bet the inside is sweet. I can’t believe that old tree has stood the test of time with the storms we get once in awile.
Wow i always had a feeling it was one of the first homes there my friend used to live on 55 cabana i think thats the address and it was built 1920’s as well….its beautiful inside and the backyard to die for! 3 home owners in that house all these years…her grandfather built it and then gave it to her daughter then sold it in 2002….
“A similar device provided for the hot water tank is governed by faucet control, effective at the turning of a faucet in any section of the home.”
Tankless water heater, 1920s style? (The way it’s worded sounds like the heater fires upon sensing water flow.)
John, that’s how I read it too…
Looks like it still has the original windows, or at least they kept the styling.
Your website never ceases to amaze me when you come up with these gems.
I will take another look when I pass by this house again, your right Ric, too bad the traffic has turned this neighbourhood into a nightmare
Yes, a horrific intersection. I’m sure when they open their windows they are treated to a cacophony of horns and screeching tires.
And to think in the era this house was built South Windsor was the “Boonies”, that house being surrounded by many, many acres of farmland.
Good post Andrew. I know of the person who lives in that house as it is a friend of my mom’s. I was in there about 5 or so years ago and it’s still very nice inside.
The house has always reminded me of something belonging in the Walkerville area. As other posts have mentioned, too bad it’s on such a horrible intersection & street.
Ah well, at least it sits back a little from the street….some space.
Andrew- there is an identical house (I’m pretty sure) in the 2100 block of Kildare on the west side of the street. I grew up in that neighbourhood and my mom lives on the next block.
How many square feet do you think it is? 3000?
I have to agree with Colin, the house in South Walkerville looks like a sister house to this one. I would say right how to the style of windows and doors on this house.
Is it just me, or wasn’t this house torn down quite a few years back? I think it sat as an empty lot for quite some time but now has 2 new large houses sitting on the lot.
It’s still there.
My former brother-in-law owns the home and still lives there. From what I remember it is beautiful inside. The kitchen has a cove, not exactly a bay window but half round with paned windows. There are 4 floors (including the basement). A spiral staircase goes up to the 4th floor. We looked for a secrect passageway, there was a door to a very tiny room that appears to be sealed up. I’m not sure about it’s historical designation at this time.
Back in 1981 a friend of mine and I had a short lived lawn business for that summer season and this house was one of the homes that we took care of. At that time it was owned by Dr. Bolton…
I stumbled upon this website when I was trying to find the history of my father’s home. I was delighted to find this! I have just started so I am hoping to discover more information as time goes on. I lived in this house with him for quite some time. I assure all readers that the house is still very beautiful inside and out! This house is truly a gem!
If anyone has any information to offer it would be greatly appreciated! I am interested in knowing everything about it! Thanks!!
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-house-for-sale/windsor-area-on/tudo-rrevival-heritage-gem/1083862240
this house is currently for sale.
http://internationalmetropolis.com/2009/07/27/180-cabana-road-west/
Wow, I love your article. Our family moved into that house in 1994, we opened up the kitchen to the back yard by our pool, the walls were 2 feet thick! Our kids have great memories there and our memories are there every time I see a classic Tudor. Thanks for sharing.