by Elaine Weeks If a picture speaks a thousand words, then this issue is a veritable epic.

1st Annual Photo Issue

The camera’s eye freezes time, offering visible records of events that might be lost forever. This special collector’s edition of The Times contains a visual history of people, places and events that serve to define “our” times. Some are images that have been long forgotten, some are treasured icons, all are memorable. They may awaken long lost memories in some readers while enlightening others.

The catalyst for this unusual issue was our vast collection of fantastic historical images donated by readers and local memorabilia collectors. Beginning on page 9, we present some of the best. In addition, we have reproduced several photos from the fine pictorial collections published by local historian Michael Gladstone White in his three books: Windsor – A moment in time, Windsor – Days Before Yesterday, and Reflections of Windsor.

Some of the photos you’ll see on the following pages captured people and events which occurred almost 100 years ago. These photos allow us to travel back in time, to see what was once common place but now seems extraordinary.

This issue contains no stories, other than those the pictures tell, and those contained in the numerous letters received over the last month. The volume of letters was overwhelming – many over two pages in length, complete with photos. We were unable to print them all. Look for the surplus in our May issue.

Even though some photos in this issue are anonymous, they still offer tantalizing clues to a by-gone age. (Do your family a favour and start documenting your photos if possible.)

Perhaps you will recognize some of the forgotten faces that peer out of this special issue. Perhaps you will even recognize yourself. Please let us know.

Who is this child? Long-time Walkerville resident Charlie E. Fox plucked this photo of a little girl (or maybe it’s a little boy) out of his vast collection of family photos. He has no idea who this might be or even whether it is a relative, nor where it was taken. It is one of my favourite photos in our growing collection of local historical images. I love the way the curlicues on the chair echo the ringlets framing the child’s face. Judging by his/her clothes, it looks like it was taken sometime around the turn of the last century. Perhaps a reader may provide some clue as to who this child was.

Time for a Change

It was inevitable. Our humble efforts to celebrate the past and present of the community of Walkerville quickly generated interest in the history of other parts of the city and the county. Consequently, for the last two years, we have also been offering a variety of stories documenting the life and times of Sandwich, the West End, Riverside, South Windsor, Harrow, and other parts of the county – as well as our neighbour across the river. After much debate and deliberation, we decided to drop Walkerville from our name. We are now simply The Times. For those readers who have been with us from the start back in March of 1999, rest assured, we are still based in Walkerville and many of stories will continue to be about this remarkable company town and its inhabitants, past and present.