Today’s post kicks off a new feature as I am proud to unveil a new category, The Bob Baillargeon collection. Bob who’s now a Windsor ex-pat, grew up down here, and spent many years as a photo journalist. Bob has been slowly going though his vast photographic collection, and has recently been spending some quality time with his scanner. These photos were shot in the Winter of 1974-1975.
Today, Bob sends along a few photos of St. Mary’s Academy to add to the collection.
Photo © Bob Baillargeon
A view of the exterior of St. Mary’s
Photo © Bob Baillargeon
An interior view of the staircase
Photo © Bob Baillargeon
A view of the Foyer
Many thanks to Bob, for sending along these great photos!
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why did they take it down?
Mike....to make 3 or 4 short streets and a handful of average houses.
My father, Joseph, may he rest in peace, tried desparately to save St. Mary's Academy from being demolished. He came home from work, in Detroit, one night, and proceeded to the Caboto Club where he was a lone picketer of the visiting Premier of Ontario--Bill Davis--trying to get political intervention to declare St. Mary's as a building of historic and architectural significance.
The builders of that tiny sudivision of houses had said that they would leave the original gates standing (hence the name of the tiny subdivision as "St. Mary's Gates")but then went back on their word and demolished those majestic gates replacing them with a small pile of bricks unworthy of notice.
I Attended St Marys from 1942 until 1947.. My 3rd Course Sister was Sister Louise, Sister Rose Alberta---- I was the President of the 3rd course.. Many fond memories of my being a boarder .. Learned many things about independence, honesty and christian beliefs. Also many good things from the nuns about table manners, etiquette,etc.
Joann Zuk Liefer, we now live in Marquette Michigan.
So sad that the photos have been removed. I am sure many of us who attended St. Mary's would greatly appreciate seeing them. I spent many happy hours there,such a beautiful chapel,lots of rolling hardwood floors, hanging ferns,gorgeous antiques.I can still remember the sisters packing us in the buses at night,we felt like sardnies.We were always curious about the floor the sisters lived on,but it was off limits,so we used our imaginations.Who could forget those black dress with the plastic collar and cuffs....so modest. (But we did look very nice in a parade)I felt very priviliged to attend such a wonderful school,and I thank my parents for the sacrifices they made to send me there.
Wow, so sad indeed to not share these memories. I fortunately stumbled upon International Metropolis while these photos were still on the site. To the owner of the copyrights of these photos: I first hand know how special these photos are for memory sake. My father worked at The Academy, our home was built on their property in the 40's, my siblings and I went to school there and we also looked at alot of these nuns as family. Unfortunately my father became critically ill in the 60's and we were forced to move. These memories you are hoarding from people.....why and what benefit does it give you in return? This site isn't prospering finacially because of them. Please rethink this and know in your heart of hearts that your decision is hurtful to those who just want to reach into the past for some comfort and memories. I'm speaking on behalf of alot of people.Please allow these pictures back, for not only our generation but for those who have no knowledge of what St. Marys Academy truly stood for and out of respect for The Sisters and Priests that so loved this place and all that walked through her grand doors!
P.S. type in The Windsor Star from the vault and you will see pics of St. Marys Academy. Enjoy!!! To the owner of this blog, thank you so much, please keep up the good work!
The owner of this site, Andrew, is a true class act. He knows first hand copyright infringements as he has had that happen to him.
It's nice to know that some peoplestill have integrity.
Dear readers; as excellent a site as this is, I thought I would mention to St. Mary's Academy fans that they now have a site on facebook. You just type in St. Mary's Academy on your facebook. Excellent, photos and reuniting conversations. :):)