Power Building Gets Noticed

It’s most heartwarming to watch in just a few short years, The Walkerville Times grow from fledgling infancy to what most today would call a modern-day success story. The hard work and dedication of you and your staff is most apparent. Your valiant efforts have not gone unnoticed. Further, your contributions to further develop the charm and ambience of festive Old Walkerville have proven to be monumental. By all means, please do keep up the great work!

Walker Power Building

You may recall that some time ago, I contributed towards an article published in The Walkerville Times, concerning Bennett Pies. At the time, I was both honoured and privileged to be a part of your progress in contributing my modest literary skills to embrace fond memories of Walkerville past. Again, I thank you for your assistance in editing my article and for bringing it to fruition in print.

As a 15-year resident of Walkerville residing on Monmouth Road, my daily travels usually take me to the intersection of Riverside Drive East and Devonshire Roads. Off to the west of that intersection on the south side of Riverside Drive East stands a rather dishevelled edifice, the name of which escapes me. Since the demise of the former Peabody Bridge, that building sits in its stately largesse, enjoying a prime view of the Detroit River. It’s the history of the building that greatly intrigues me. I often look upon it and envision the potential it has for any of a variety of business ventures. Without question, I do think it remains yet another jewel of Walkerville’s past history. I can’t help but wonder if a feature story about this building lies in the future.

I would welcome your “feedback” to learn if such a venture might be possible. May your success never end.
Richard Vargyas, Walkerville

Ed: Thanks for your kind feedback. We have done some vignettes about the Walker Power Building in previous issues. It is home to several thriving cottage industries at present, including a decorative metal working company, a stained glass artisan, several wood workers, a model replica studio, an ad agency and the Windsor Print Makers Forum. We hope to do a more complete story when space and time permit. Incidentally, the Bennett Apartments and the bakery were recently purchased. They had become very rundown and are now being renovated.

This Side Up

I have just spent some time roaming around your Virtual Walkerville site which is really excellent! I was busily perusing your article about St. Mary’s Church when suddenly I was struck by a memory which has never left me over these past 70 some years (This may even be an item for your paper).

While most of my family were not members of this parish, my mother was and often went there to attend services.

At one time I was a member of a Boy Scout troop that held its meetings in St. Mary’s church hall. The scoutmaster was Mr. Creed (Jack Creed’s father) – a great character in many ways!

One summer day when it was particularly warm inside, Mr. Creed had us move to the outside lawn area to continue our program. While this was going on, a small gnome-like old man continuously paraded back and forth with a water sprinkling can in his hand. After a while Mr. Creed, who seemed to know this character, asked him what he was doing shuttling back and forth with the water sprinkling can in and out of the graveyard area. His reply astounded me and I have never forgotten it ‘till this day!

“I’m watering my wife’s grave,” he said, “because I know she would rather have grass on her back than flowers on her belly.”

For years I speculated as youngsters are prone to do... about why she had been buried “face down.”
Army Ellis, California

Tune into the Station

Your story on the Station Restaurant brought back memories. I know it well. In fact in 1949-1950 I played federation baseball in Windsor and the restaurant was our sponsor. Then it was called Station Lunch. My aunt lived just down the street on McKay. After each game we were treated to a burger and coke sitting in the old booths or at the counter playing the juke box. We won the regular league championship and lost in the playoffs.

When I was a young dude, my cousin Patti and I used to hang around the tunnel from the train station to Station Lunch and over to McKay. We pretended it was a huge cave like the one that Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher got lost in. But we had to BEWARE of the third rail because if you got too close you would burn to a crisp. Everyone knew that.
Tom Paré, MI

It’s a State of Mind

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Walkerville Times for making my life here a little easier. In the nearly three years that I have lived and worked in Walkerville I have advertised in, and only in, the Walkerville Times to promote my business, Altered States Upholstery. It was the best advertising decision I ever made. You gave me a quality product that was vital to my business while allowing me the flexibility to choose what was right for me. I thank you sincerely for your efforts and your support.

Now my family and I have the opportunity to return to Toronto which was our home until we moved to Walkerville three years ago. I shall miss the people of this community and the thoughtful advocacy from Elaine and Chris at The Times. Please know that as my business thrived here, so too did my endorsement of the Walkerville Times. I wish you and everyone in the Walkerville community continued success. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and your furniture.
Jon Magidsohn, Toronto
Altered States Upholstery

Sweet Thrills

What a thrill to be in touch once again with the activities of my old hometown! Although I lived as a child in Old Sandwich and went to school there, many of my friends were in Walkerville, including ex-Mayor Mike Patrick. His wife (now in Aurora) and I were friends when we worked at Sterling Drug on Elliott Street W.

My brother Dr. Austin Dixon (now in Portales, NM) had his office on Tecumseh Rd. E. near Metropolitan Hospital. My other brother married a Walkerville girl whose father was in quality control at Hiram Walkers and became comptroller of Windsor for a term or two (John Martin).

The picture of the Peabody Bridge brought many memories to mind – including our jaunts during my childhood to Belle Isle via the old Walkerville ferry.
Thanks for the memories!
Virginia Bastedo, Brantford

Did “The Who” Play Walkerville?

I work at the Kildare House just by your office. I’m hoping to get some information on a concert that was held at Walkerville High School in 1965. The band that played there was “THE WHO.” I’m looking for brochures, posters, or audio/video of the concert, anything at all or I’d like to talk to some one that went to it.
Ronny Rowson

Ed: We have never heard that “The Who” played at Walkerville Collegiate. It’s possible that “The Guess Who” might have played there. Perhaps some readers can enlighten us.

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