Photo Du JourWindsor

Watkins House

February 5, 2007
A devistating fire last week , claimed one of Windsor’s important early Black Heritage sites. The vacant Willam Watkins house dating to the 1860’s – 1870’s, on Peter Street, was destroyed in a blaze on February 1st. Willam Watkins was the son of escaped slaves who fled the US via the Underground Railroad in the 1840’s. The Watkins family still lives in the area…
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Photo Du JourWindsor

Peace Beacon

February 1, 2007
So I headed down to the river the other day to check on the progress of the new Peace Beacon, and to check on the forlorn Cleary Guest House. Coming Spring 2007! bmi| pace – The planning firm had this to say on their website: We were awarded this commission as a…
Photo Du JourWindsor

Frozen Herb

January 31, 2007
For whatever reason, I hadn’t noticed this newish sculputre of Herb Gray in Dieppe Park until the other day. Afternearly 40 years in service, I can’t think of a single thing that Herb did to benefit Windsor. Sad. Regardless of your taste in politics, Chris…
Photo Du JourWindsor

Signs

January 30, 2007
This west side Barber Shop has been around for a long, long time. The popular Twig & Berries A bookstore on the West Side near the University Wah Court, some say is the best Chineese food in Windsor A long closed gas station Nothing like a happy laundry tub… The T.T. Bar, finally given a witty name again, after suffering though years as Studio East and Club T-Zers. When I…
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Photo Du JourWindsor

Suburban Renewal

January 25, 2007
This old house in St. Clair Beach sat for years on the north west corner of Brighton Rd and Tecumseh Rd, the photo above was shot in 2002, and I guess the richie-ritches of Russel Woods and St. Clair Beach got tired of looking at it. I drove by a while back and noticed it…
Photo Du JourPostcardsWindsor

Downtown - 1957

January 24, 2007
I recently came across this neat old postcard from 1957. There are several things that jump out at me in this card… On the north shore, the land for Cobo Hall & Arena has been cleared. Work is progressing nicely on Windsor’s new City Hall. Note the long demolished Court House and old Police Station. The north side of Riverside Drive has been scraped clean of all its buildings…
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Photo Du JourWindsor

Brighton Beach - Part 2

January 23, 2007
Today we head back to Brighton Beach for a return visit to what once was. As each year has passed, the number of homes has shrunk, and the condition of the roads worsened. The end between Sandwich St. and the River has really become worse since the residences along Water…
Photo Du JourWindsor

Brighton Beach - Part 1

January 21, 2007
As I promised last Wednesday, here is part one of my Brighton Beach photos over the last six years. The old Bronson’s Tavern. Formerly the Westwood Hotel, it once hosted Al Capone during the prohibition years. Originally the building was set back against the river…