DetroitOld Newspaper StoriesWindsor

The First Fireworks - 1959

July 4, 2022
After a few years away due to COVID the annual fireworks returned to the riverfront this year in spectacular fashion. However it got me thinking about the history of the fireworks, and exactly how the first ones were handled in the media… I decided to go back through old newspapers and see how that first fireworks display was handled back in 1959. From July 4, 1959, 63 years ago…
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Notable WindsoritesOld Newspaper Stories

Chief Clarence DeFields 1877-1965

January 30, 2022
Today we take a look at the life and times of Chief Clarence DeFields, Windsor’s longtime Fire Chief. He was a fireman with the Windsor Fire Department from 1900-1916 when he became the chief. He served as Fire Chief for 30 years, from 1916 until his retirement at the…
ChurchesLost WindsorOld Newspaper Stories

Christ The King Church and The Baseball All-Star

December 19, 2021
Formerly located at Dominion & Grand Marais in South Windsor, was the now demolished church of Christ The King. The parish was established in 1928, with plans to erect a place of worship at Curry & Richardie Boulevard, near St. Mary’s Academy. I am unable to determine if that original church was ever built. In 1946 architect J. C. Pennington drew up plans for the church at…
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Notable WindsoritesOld Newspaper Stories

Fred Neal - 1855-1931

September 12, 2021
Fred Neal was a local historian, who’s early work “Township of Sandwich, Past & Present” left us an invaluable record of early days in Sandwich. If you don’t have a copy, or have never read it, a copy can be found here…
Notable WindsoritesOld Newspaper StoriesOld Photographs

Cecil E. Jackson - 1873-1956

July 4, 2021
A look today at the namesake of Jackson Park via his obituary, January 23, 1956. A civic giant, and one of the people responsible for the Windsor we enjoy today. A person who dedicated his life to making Windsor a better place. Park Bears Name Of Civic Figure Held Chief Magistrate’s Post When City Reached Crossroads Former Mayor Cecil E. Jackson, for whom Jackson Park is named…
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Old Newspaper StoriesOld Photographs

711 Riverside Drive East

June 13, 2021
A return visit today to a site we visited back in 2009. 711 Riverside Drive East, on the south east corner of Riverside Drive and Louis Avenue is an old building, that’s obvious to anyone driving past. I recently came across an old newspaper article from 1958, claiming…
Old Newspaper StoriesOld Photographs

Wigle Park - 1909

April 13, 2021
A view of the Wigle Park Fountain – August, 1909 – Mayor Wigle to the right The Wigle Park Fountain, designed by Watt & Crane, 1909, made out of cement. Lost somewhere to time. It likely wasn’t built to survive being constantly wet, and likely…