Crucified!

Recently I read a few copies of your great paper loaned to me by Paul Greenhow whose family lived at 888 Chilver Road for many years. I thoroughly enjoyed the contents and many memories were brought to my mind. In 1926 my parents purchased the first house on Chilver Road (then Victoria) north of Tecumseh Road on the east side. Sadly, they had to give it up sometime later due to the economy tightening and work harder to find. We eventually settled on Walker Road in the Walker Homesites where I attended the Walker Road School. As a lad I was intrigued whenever my father would drive us past the intersection of Walker Road and #2 Highway. There was a black barn on the Southeast corner with large white letters saying “Walkerville: founded 1858, crucified 1935.” I heard regularly in Sunday school about the Lord Jesus being crucified, but never a city.

In the July/August issue I read Al Roach’s comments about various stores and businesses along Wyandotte Street between Devonshire and Lincoln Road. He mentioned the dentist Dr. L.D. Hogan at Devonshire and Wyandotte (now Kelly’s Funeral Home).

Dr. Hogan came to Windsor in 1907 and set up his dental practice in a large house on Devonshire just north of Wyandotte Street. Years later he moved to the second floor of what is now Kelly’s Funeral Home and practiced there until the day of his death, April 25, 1957.

In June 1956 I married one of his granddaughters, Joan Hogan. We are still married after 45 years. He told me that in his early days in Walkerville, Gorden McGregor asked him to invest some money in the infant Ford Motor Company of Canada.

Dr. Hogan declined the offer because he wanted to pay off his newly acquired dental equipment. He laughed as he related this story realizing what might have been instead of what was.

We do remember A.H. Black and his jewellery store. My wife brought our silverware set from there at the time of our wedding and we still use it often as we love to entertain a lot.

My wife’s father was Ronald F. Hogan who lived in Walkerville many years and worked for the Ford Motor Company for over 32 years as one of their top executives. His picture was shown a lot in Walkerville Collegiate as he was an honour’s student and top athlete. He attended the 60th Anniversary in 1984 with us and many of the pictures were still up then.

In 1940 my parents and I walked into A.J. Stevens and Son Bicycles store on Wyandotte Street. As a reward for passing the 8th grade I was allowed to pick out a top-of-the-line C.C.M. bicycle that sold for 42 dollars. I hopped on it then and there and rode it all the way out Walker Road to our home on Byng Road in what is now Sandwich East.
Ronald Hall, Dearborn MI

Snowbird in Lakeland Florida

I just received another copy of the Walkerville Times from my friend Betty Taylor Hanna of Windsor. As usual, I enjoyed it very much.

I will forward it to my sister Mardell Slote who winters here also. Her summer home is in St. John’s, Michigan. She gave a copy to Edith Russell, former teacher and sister-in-law of the late principal of King George School, Mr. Davidson.

I can clear up the location of Dr. Dean’s house as our house on Iroquois Street faced his stone house at Chilver and Ottawa Street. Thanks to him, I have most of my teeth.

So the Walkerville Times marches on.
Geraldine (Lithbridge) Dunlop, Lakeland, Florida

Who’s on First?

I have recently moved back into Windsor after living 40 years in Toronto.

In the summer I happened upon a copy of your paper. Imagine my surprise when I read about the Walkerville Chicks, a team my dad Lori (Spear) Carnegie played 1st base for in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Then I was overwhelmed with nostalgia when I read the article about Prince of Wales Public School, which I attended from 1937 to 1945.

Even though I never lived in Walkerville I really enjoy reading about the Windsor I remember from my youth. Keep up the excellent reporting and count me as one of your new subscribers.
Patricia Carnegie, Windsor

Walkerville News Contacts

We are so delighted with your paper. Our grandfather was the editor of the Walkerville News on Lincoln Rd. at Wyandotte Street. Our father and uncle Roy L. Clark and Elmer H. Clark operated the Walkerville Printing Co.

We are genuine Walkervillites, having been born on Windermere Rd. and lived the last 47 years on Kildare and Vimy.

Keep up the good work. There are several Walkervillites at Oak Park and we look forward to your paper.
Vivian & Kathryn Isabel Clark, Windsor

Ed: Great to hear from you. We hope we’ve picked up where your grandfather left off in 1936.

Just Missed Us

I left Windsor a few years ago just as, I believe, you began publishing your newspaper. Every week I visit various Windsor websites to stay abreast of the happenings in my hometown.

As someone who graduated from Walkerville and grew up on Drouillard Road (Ford City, as you point out) I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your website. Great job. I look forward to picking up the paper edition next time I’m in town.
Tran Longmoore, Milford Times

Honouring Edith Cavell

I read your article on Edith Cavell School in the October 2001 issue and thought you may like to see a scan of an old postcard I have of Edith’s grave and of her.
Chris Gall, Walkerville

Ed: Thanks Chris. Edith Cavell was a British nurse who was sentenced to death by German authorities in 1915 for providing refuge to British, French and Belgian solders. In 1918, a school was constructed in Riverside and named in her honour. For the full story on this school, see our October 2001 issue, which is still available for $3 (mailed), or $2 at our office.

Edith Cavell postcard (courtesy Chris Gall)

Photo Surprise

I own the duplex at 439 Chilver. I was reading the November 2001 issue of your magazine and noticed a photo on page 21 of the Chilver Stable, opposite Victoria Tavern. I thought the house looked really familiar and it should – it’s beside my duplex!

Do you have any old photos or know the history of 439 Chilver? Thank you for a great paper!
John Cherwak, Walkerville

Ed: Sorry John, we don’t have any photos or info on 439 Chilver yet. We do know that the houses and buildings below Wyandotte (north of it) are the oldest in the area of Olde Walkerville. The oldest were constructed in the 1880s. If you want to find out more, check the old city directories at the Central Public Library archives (basement) at 850 Ouellette. They are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-5 and Saturdays, 9-5 (closed for lunch from 1-2). Appointments can be made for the other days by calling 255-6770 ext. 4414. Let us know what you find out.

New Fan by Chance

I came across your magazine by chance in the news shop in Tecumseh Mall. Very, very interesting. I enjoyed the edition immensely, could relate to the reminiscing, and recognized the places. I will look for your magazine from now on.

I never lived in Walkerville but attended Walkerville C.I. for five years and spent every day walking around the neighbourhood.

What was the secret of 1281 Chilver Road? I missed the Nov. issue.

I will check out the advertisers, very interesting.
Prudie Fernbach, Windsor

Ed: Thank you for your kind feedback and glad you discovered our magazine. The mystery of 1281 Chilver is simply that we cannot find out who built it and when. The original article about this old house in our July/August issue mentioned that the city had it listed as being built in 1890 and that one of the owners was Mr. Chilver. After some checking, we discovered the house was built sometime in the 19teens and that there was never a Chilver at that address. The first owner that we know of is Mr. G. H. Gauthier who bought it around 1918.

There are a lot of mysteries in Walkerville, as the area’s history has not been faithfully recorded over the years. We’re trying to do our best to change that.

Spirit of Carnegie Lives On

Just a note to tell you of the enjoyment I experienced in reading the article “Save those Libraries.” I thought that you should know, the “Spirit” of the Old Carnegie Library at the corner of Park and Victoria still lives on.

Just prior to the demolition of the library building I had the two beautiful wooden doors removed and restored. They have graced the entrance way of the Parks & Recreation building at 2451 McDougall Street for some 25 years or more.

The salvation of the doors was a work of love for the Parks tradesman and many thousands of people have passed through this entrance way without knowing their history.
Harry Brumpton, Windsor
Retired - Commissioner Department Parks & Recreation

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