Walkerville Walking Tour
The former Town of Walkerville was founded by Hiram Walker in 1858. The Newย England-born distiller bought two French farms on the south shore of the Detroit River,ย and the growth of his industry and the town it supported continued for seven decades.
Railroads played an important part in Walkervilleโs history. First, the Great Westernโsย extension to Windsor in 1854, thenย the Lake Erie Essex &ย Detroit River Railroad, which connected Walkerville with lakeshore towns and farms.ย The availability of rail transportation attracted other industrialย enterprises to the area, and brought great prosperity to the Walker family and their town.
All of the communityโs amenities were provided byย Walker โ a fire brigade and police, streetlights, sewers, paved roads and sidewalks, parks,ย a music hall, a school, library and church.
The Second Phase โ An Edwardian Town on the Garden City Plan
- While Hiram Walkerโs original developments concentrated mainly on the business/commercialย areas of town, his sonsโ residential neighbourhood continued to grow untilย the City of Windsor annexed the town in 1935.
- By 1901 the Walkers sold their expanded Lake Erie & Detroitย River Railway and used the funds to developย their land between Wyandotte and Richmond Streets. The interrupted street patternย reduced the traffic, keeping the park-like setting quiet, and the Walkers used this featureย to promote a fine residential neighbourhood focused around St. Maryโs Church andย Willistead. Since lots were sold only to those who could build homes of at least 350 square feet, the substantial character of the neighbourhood was guaranteed.
- Everyย home Albert Kahn designed shows Arts and Crafts influence. Kahn believed that historicย period styles were best suited to homes and public institutions, while factories should beย utilitarian, brightly illuminated and devoid of ornament. By the 1920s many architectsย believed that the simplicity of factories should be models for all types of construction.
- Except for some changes since the amalgamation, most of this Walker-built town stillย survives. If conservation persists, this planned, century old, self-sufficient town will beย a cultural treasure for Windsor and North America.
Tour participants are reminded that many of the properties herein are private residences, and should be viewed with discretion.
Starting Point: Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. โย 2072 Riverside Dr. E., Windsor
