From the Border Cities Star – May 30, 1925:
COOPER COURT, FINEST OF BORDER RESIDENCES
Above is a general view of Cooper Court, taken from the front. It gives a good idea of the magnificent proportions of the handsome residence, and of the beautiful grounds which front it. The home is built on the site of the former Charles S. King residence. Mr Cooper bought the property from Mr. King and razed the house that stood on it, replacing it with this handsome structure. It is one of the largest, if not the largest, pieces of property in the Border Cities entirely given over to a private dwelling. It extends along Ontario Street for the full distance between Kildare and Devonshire Roads, Walkerville, and back half the length of a long block. The lawn, a considerable portion of which is shown, is almost in a state of perfection and has the reputation of being one of the best kept pieces of land in the district. The picture also shows part of the extensive tulip beds which grace the grounds, more than 2,200 of the plants having been set out. Unfortunately the backwards spring has retarded their progress this year and many of the plants have failed to come into bloom.
… A glimpse of the formal garden on the north side of Cooper Court, just inside the massive gateway. Here in one short year, a beautiful piece of landscape gardening has been accomplished with smooth sward, gorgeous flowers, a fountain and neatly kept gravel paths. The statuary well selected and placed adds much to the charm of the scene. On the left is seen the pillared portico and the main entrance to the dwelling. In the background is the glass roofed wing which houses the conservatory and swimming pool, and beyond that, the garage. Trees have been judiciously set out, and are beginning to give promise of what may be expected of them a few years hence. When they mature, the drive will be a thing of real beauty, delightfully shaded. On the right is a decorative hedge which marks the boundaries of the property. This being carefully trained, and makes a fitting background for the delightful combination of art and nature which has taken every advantage of a comparatively small space.
Here is one of the most cheerful and delightful rooms in Cooper Court. It is the sunroom, with the library in the background. Entirely enclosed with glass on two sides, this room is a marvel of brightness and beauty. In the far corner of the library is seen the keyboard of the organ.
One of the most striking points of interest about Cooper Court is the conservatory and swimming pool. It is on the second floor in the northwest wing, leading directly out of the main second floor corridor. The walls and roof are entirely of translucent glass, while the pool and the floor are of terrazzo. The pool is seven feet deep at one end and three and one half feet at the end reserved fro the little ones. At each side of the entrance is a tile and marble dressing room, one for men and one for women.
Quietly luxuriant in all its appointments is this, the reception hall of Cooper Court. The grill-work in the right background encloses the main pipes of the magnificent organ, and through the door at the rear a glimpse of the beautiful library is seen. The whole effect is in the most exquisite taste.
It’s hard to grasp the idea of how large and majestic the 40 room Cooper Court was. The area occupied by the Cooper Court Property is highlighted in yellow. In comparison Harry Low’s mansion, was located cater-corner to Cooper’s, and is visible in the lower right hand side of the aerial photo.
Cooper Court was designed by Pennigton and Boyde, for James Cooper, who made his fortune during prohibition. Cooper’s story can be found at the Walkerville Times website.
Cooper only lived here a few years, as his ill health forced him to Switzerland, and the relief of the alpine air. In 1931 while sailing back to Europe from New York, Cooper allegedly fell overboard in the middle of the Atlantic. His body was never recovered.
While the expense of maintaining such large home was its downfall, and judging from the style of the six houses that were built on the Cooper Court Land, it came down sometime in the 1960’s. A bit of it survives today.
Visible in the second photo in today’s post, a bit of the driveway and gate house still stand on Kildare Ave.
Too bad the house didn’t survive, it sounds like it would have made a great B&B or museum… Without a doubt the grandest of Windsor’s lost residential buildings.
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I am the granddaughter of James Scott Cooper and the oldest daughter of his son, J. Scott Cooper. My sister and I were born in the carriage house shown in these pictures. It was remodeled into a cute little two bedroom house as a wedding present to my parents. I must correct Brendan on the date the original Cooper Court home was torn down. Although I do not know the actual date, I do know that it was not standing when I was born in 1944. The entire area had already been divided into lots and sold to individuals who subsequently built homes. Many of the bloggers have touched on names and facts related to this house that I have heard about all my life. My father often talked about Harry Low, I used to play at the playground and borrow books from the library at Willestead, and we have visited Windsor many times and taken trips to Belle River to see the Cooper Court (Hotel). I have pictures of my father with his sisters and mother on horseback in front of the Belle River Cooper Court, before the Walkerville one was built. Thank you for publishing these great pictures and keeping some of the beautiful things from the past alive!
Thanks for this info Andrew!
My Mom and I were actually walking by the gates a few weeks ago and wondered what they were originally for... now we know!
Keep up the fantastic work, Walkerville details are always welcome, I'm always hoping to catch a glimpse of my house back then :)
I'd be curious to have seen the interior of this mansion. There are some awesome mansions in Detroit (along Boston Edison) which probably cost the same during the general period. (1920/$40,000) Willistead Manor cost about $125,000 in 1904-06.
Interesting that there are two sets of gates that still exist; on Devonshire and Kildare. The driway must've went straight across the property between the two roads.
What a sight it must've been. Too bad we shall never see it. I wonder if there are still foundation stones underground ... defining the mansion that once was.
In doing some research I realised I had printed an error in my above post.
The house in Belle River cost $40,000 whereas the one in Walkerville set him back $200,000.00
So perhaps it DID rival Willistead in design ??
Gretchen so cool to hear that you are the grandaugter of james scott cooper.I love windsor /walkerville and all the history that has ran through this area.I read and love the book called the rumrunners by marty gervais.People dont realize how much has gone down in this area .Im 22 years old and wouldnt want to live anywere else.kids my age are wrapped up into the ridiculous society of today and dont take time to appreciate the past and the people who lived in our town,and ow much simpler the world was and ow people treated eachother.the world today is no where as neat as it was back in the day.I own a house on moy and everytime i drive past harry lows mansion and where the cooper court once stood i just wish it were still there .Its such a shame that they had to tear down that beautiful residence.Its awesome to hear that the grandaughter of james cooper is still around .James cooper was my favorite of the prohibition times.Thanks to this site and people who share their stories of the border cities and walkerville..so cool so interesting .
the driveway did or does go straight through between the Devonshire and Kildare. The forecourt pool is/was still there when we were growing up across the street on Devonshire through the 50's and 60's, in fact my brother knocked over the central feature when we were playing in the yard in the 50's. We were told when they were digging the foundations for the next house to the south(McGregor/Horvath) they had to excavate the remnants of the pool which doesn't jive with your details. The place built with the remnants of the court to the north itself was/is great with tapestry wall coverings in the drawing room, a billiard room in the basement and I believe a staircase from the original manor with a Venus in marble on the landing looking over the gardens of the house to the north, now infilled. The corner fence posts around the property were still there through our youth.
The organ from this home was salvaged. In 1946, the Morris Funeral Home at Goyeau and Giles in Windsor purchased it for $2,500, after Cooper spent $38,800 in 1924. A further $14,000 was spent to relocate it.
The instrument was not altered in any way during the re-location. Over the years, it has fallen into disrepair, becoming only partially useable, then entirely dead for the last ten years. But has recently been rescued. It now is fully functional. All 1280 pipes are present and speak. The player mechanism has been restored as well.
Concert/demo/talks will take place on a monthly basis soon. A room on the premises is being prepared with displays.
Does anyone know who currently owns the property with the gates at it? What remains of the mansion?
I have found some interesting news about the ship that James Cooper had fell overboard. Something doesn't add up. If either Gretchen or DtCtyGrl would respond I think we could talk about this together. Looking forward to your replies.
FYI I am the husband of the great grandchild of James Cooper.
Gretchen & DtCtyGrl. Please respond. I have some fascinating news that I wish to share. I am married to the great granddaughter of James Cooper.