One of the more interesting building on Ouellette Ave., and one that I’ve been asked about several times is the HMCS Hunter building on Ouellette Ave., just north of the Masonic Temple.
The building was built in 1929, and designed by R. J. Davies, president of the Toronto Building Company. It was built by Fred W. Martin, the man who was behind the Detroit Windsor Tunnel. Originally it was known as the Martin Marketorium, and basement was planned as a giant food market (what I wouldn’t give to have that back!).
The building shows up as the “Marketerium Building” on the Fire Insurance map, as well as being the home of the Frontier Badminton Club.
*Photo above from the December 31, 1929 issue of the Windsor Star
As seen in the first photo the building has some great stone trim around the entrance way, and a hint of art deco styling. I’m not sure when it became the HMCS Hunter, or when it ceased to be a food market…
The article below is from the Michigan Architect and Builder – March, 1929:
Windsor To Get $400,000 Building
Immediate construction will start on Ouellette Ave., near Erie St., of a composite business building to be erected at a total cost for building and land of $400,000. The building will include, in the basement, the largest food market in Canada.
Fred W. Martin, promoter of the Detroit-Windsor vehicular tunnel and owner of the new project, has announced the awarding of the construction contract to the Davies Construction Co., Toronto. Plans for the building were prepared by R. J. Davies, president of the Toronto Building Company. Plans have been filed with George E .Wood, Windsor building inspector.
The building, which will be two stories and basement, is to have a frontage on the east side of Ouellette Ave. of 140 feet and will extend back 210 feet to Dufferin place. Necessitating an outlay in excess of $225,000 in structural costs, the building, when completed, will house 10 retail concerns and will have a total floor space of 90,000 square feet. The Davies Construction Co. within the next week, will let sub-contracts on the structure. Exterior of the new building, facing Ouellette Ave. will be of tapestry brick and stone trim with interior of birch trim. The structure is to be completed within three months.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Edit –
I got an email this afternoon from the Commanding Officer of the HMCS Hunter who sent along a little background information:
The Windsor Division, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, set up shop in an unused portion of the Toledo Scales Factory, 2462 Howard Ave., near the CP tracks just after the start of World War II. The official opening was 5 March 1940.
The search for a new building led the Navy to 960 Ouellette Avenue.
Our unit historian has this to say about the building:
“At this time an experiment was being tried in a large building on Ouellette Avenue. It was called a Marketorium and was the forerunner of the shopping complex we now know as a mall. In the area that now serves as HUNTER’s Drill Deck was a large open market surrounded by a number of small specialty shops, all covered by one roof. It must have been ahead of its time because it failed. The promoter, by the way, was the same man who was involved in another Windsor venture that is still a resounding success – the Detroit Canada Tunnel. The mortgage company, in an effort to at least realise some revenue, rented out the Drill Deck area to the Frontier Badminton Club, a well patronized organization with activities almost every day. The club set its bar up in the room that now serves as HUNTER’s Wardroom.”
HMCS HUNTER was commissioned on 1 November 1941, and occupied the current building 23 March 1944.
Very interesting that the building today was not built for it’s purpose. The “food emporium” would be nice downtown but….
Does anyone else think that the photo from 1929 makes the building look better? It seems to have more of a presence but it could be because of the senior building next to the HMCS Hunter dwarfs it today.
I attended Air Cadets there for about 2 years back in the early 80’s. The best memories are firing rifles on the range in the basement.
I like the old picture too ME. The full size trees may have something to do with it, rather than all the dwarf and ornamental trees the city plugs in around town these days. It’s like the city doesn’t wand to commit to something for as long as what an oak tree would live.
Fausto, that is it! Without those trees it looks so barren. Isn’t it strange that in these days of environmentalism we haven’t decided to plant true growth trees instead ofthe ornamental ones that last about 6 years. By thw way don’t you think those locust trees are ugly? Yuk!
Its estimated that over 8,000 boys and girls have been members of the youth organization, the Windsor Sea Cadets (formerly the Border City Boys Brigade). 3 and 4 generations of some local families. This building has also housed the Air Cadets and RCEME Army Cadets. Girls were allowed into the Sea Cadets in 1976 or 1977 (former the Wrenettes were a separate organization). In Windsor it is about a 50/50 mix of boys and girls in Sea Cadets, but in some other cities the boys out number the girls. I made some life long friends under that roof, as have my brother and parents.
I am a past Sea Cadet and who is from one of those generation families my father spent 26 years in the local Reseve Unit at HMCS Hunter and I was a sea cadet for three years,I still see some of the old gang from time to time,i have trasfered to another unit so im still down at the old building. Although, the memories are like ghosts they roame the building and you can feel the energy cause they all come sailing back lolol,i had gone to all the kids parties,picnics and parades watching my dad march down Ouellette Ave. All thoses times i think about when i walk into the building there are still a few people who remember my Dad and of course his picture remains on the wall even though he has passed way now they know me as his daughter. I will be sad when the old building closes after 60+ years what will the ghosts of the pass will do when that happens.
Having spent the last 30+ yrs working with the sea cadets in that building, I have to say Leeanne is correct about the ghosts of past members – not real ghosts, just memories. If the walls could talk. WW2 , Hunter had many new recruits billeted in the upper deck area which was a dormitory, now offices and classrooms. Around The SE fire door , facing Dufferin Alley, scratched into the bricks, are the names and years that men were there. Interesting piece of history that will be lost if it is ever torn down or covered with stucco. lol. Maybe Andrew might photograph these names and put them up here. My camera won’t do a good enough job or I would do it for him.
Many changes to the front of the building have happened over the years, not all for the good appearance-wise, but necessitated for the security of the building and the safety of its occupants.
Andrew, I would like to look up some old addresses from 20s, -40s, downtown, before the streets were renumbered. Where do you find these Fire Ins maps? Thanks
Shirley the best bet is to visit the library and look up the addresses in the 1937 city directory. It’s on microfilm, so if you’re not sure how to use it, just ask at the desk on the second floor, they’ll help you out. That directory lists all the new and old addresses.
I took my basic training at HMCSHUNter july and august of 1944 and it was the same
kind of weather we are now having. I enjoyed my time in Windsor and must get back one
day and look up Hunetr if itis stillaround
I was with the 21 windsor SVC BN there for 7 years.
Boy this brings back so many memories for me. It was where my military career began as a sea cadet from 1965-68 and when I turned 16 I joined the ships company of HMCS Hunter as a reservist and spent many training nights and certain weekends there. Then I joined the regular force in 1972 retiring 2004. My military career was exciting and I was proud to wear the uniforms of my country. I cherish many memories but the ones from hunter in my home town are special one.
I served in the sea cadet,s 1976to 1980.Also the hmcs Hunter From 1979 to1981
I was a Sea Cadet from 63 to 66 then moved to the west coast and joined the RCN where I served until 2003 in both the regular force and reserves, serving in the lower deck and wardroom.