Archives

February 2011
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  

Imperial Bank – Walkerville

Happy Friday everyone! Another week gone, and we’re more than halfway through February too!

Up today is one of my favourite photos that I’ve come across. Dated June 1, 1934, the caption on the back reads:

    “Bank at Walkerville Ontario across river from Detroit”

I love the street life captured in this photo. A real moment in time captured.


View Larger Map

Here is the bank building today. Still standing on the n.w. corner of Wyandotte and Lincoln. The bank was built as an Imperial Bank in 1927, and was designed by Toronto Architects Langley & Howland. Unlike many older buildings along Wyandotte, this one has made out pretty well over the years.

Andrew

View Comments

  • Now now jay... that was the style for men a few years back before the picture was taken. Even today, many elderly men can still be seen with their pants hitched up almost to their armpits as was common in the mid 1900's and brylcream in the hair.
    As for the manny with the bucket, my guess would be he was a window washer. I see a long handle of perhaps a squeegee.
    My item of interest is what is that that appears betwwen his stride? A fire hydrant? It almost looks like the base of the current lamp standards, but it has no post and is in the wrong area from the current one.

  • women in pants, men in15 year-old suits; remember folks, this was in the middle of the depression. 1934 was a very tough time.

    This photo is spectacular! Its too bad building owners don't use more awnings like in the above. Not only does it give an intimate feeling at street level but it also helps keep the heat down in the buildings. Today, we just crank up the air conditioning and then moan about the cost.

  • I would agree that the man with bucket is carrying something in his other arm; he is practically walking over it, so I doubt it is a hydrant, or any other fixture. Besides, if there was a hydrant there in 1934, it would still be there today.

  • fantastic photo!

    For the with the bucket, I would think he's either a painter, or a janitor. The item between his legs kid of looks like a narrow bucket with castor wheels. You know the type of bucket that you wring out the mop in the wringer attached to it? And he's pushing it along with the mop. But, it seems alittle close to him for that. Plus, it also looks like there might be some sort of basket or old open topped wooden tool box in that hand.

    Great photo Andrew, thanks!

  • Great photo. I understand Jay's initial confusion but definitely not a Hasidic Jew. Fancy a Loblaw Store on Wyandotte!

  • I recall two other Loblaws stores on Wyandotte and two on Ouellette, two on Tecumseh and one on Dougall.Used to be a big deal in town.

  • FYI No stucco on this building, just rented out to "unplugged" where lablaw was, corner unit is going to be a great bakery called "boarder city cakes"

Recent Posts

2177 Victoria Avenue

Built in 1929, the house at 2177 Victoria Avenue was originally numbered 1545 Victoria, pre…

2 days ago

Crescent Lanes – 871 Ottawa

Crescent Lanes first opened on Ottawa Street in 1944 at 1055 Ottawa Street, opposite Lanspeary…

2 months ago

1156 Ouellette – Oswald Janisse House

Above is a photo of the home of Mr & Mrs Oswald Janisse, located at…

3 months ago

White’s Restaurant & The Elbow Room – 33 Pitt Street East

in 1917 two Greek brothers Gus & Harry Lukos purchased a one story building on…

4 months ago

4219 Wyandotte Street East

Photo from Google Streetview A long time reader sent me an email the other week…

6 months ago

841 Ouellette – Final Days

An unremarkable end to a part of Windsor's history. The large vacant house at 841…

7 months ago