This is where I come from.

Well if you haven’t figured out yet that I’m Canadian, then I think you might have the wrong blog.  But where in Canada am I from?  Well I come from a city of about 209,000 give or take a recession or two, in an area of Ontario that sees the warmest climate of any Ontario City.  Where an A/C is a matter of life or death in the summer time, trust me, it’s not the heat it’s the humidity!  A place that at once time had the longest international tunnel (Thanks for ruining that Chunnel!), and shares the waters with Detroit Michigan.  Known as the City of Roses, it is a place where we are proud of our waterfront.   Where great effort has been made to make as much of it usable park as possible.   And funny enough, we are located south of the US Border, how we love to play with people’s minds on that one.

What’s in a Name?

Windsor Ontario Canada,  was officially incorporated as a Village in the year 1854, as a Town in 1858 and finally as a City in 1892. The naming controversy in 1892, when the town of Windsor wanted to become a city. The most popular names listed in the naming controversy were “South Detroit”, “The Ferry” (from the ferries that linked Windsor to Detroit), Richmond (the runner-up in popularity), and Windsor (which won out over the others). Windsor was chosen over the others because of its English name (to promote the heritage of many English settlers in the city), and so that it would be named after Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England. However, Richmond was a popular name used until the Second World War, mainly by the local Post Office.

Growing up in Windsor usually meant that you had at least one person working in the automotive industry in your family.  Windsor was home to the Big 3 for many years until recently GM announced the closing of the transmission plant.  They do still however, have Ford and Chrysler operating.  Besides cars, Windsor was also known for it’s alcohol as Hiram Walker’s headquarters are located here on Riverside Drive.  The smell of the yeast is one to be desired for many, me personally I love it.  The historic distillery was founded back in 1858. And since that day, I’m assuming litres of Canadian Club has been guzzled with gusto.  Windsor also played a “minor” role during the Prohibition.

As mentioned Windsor has a great waterfront and I think our main attraction has to be the Peace Fountain, this is a picture that we took in August of 2007 when Frank came to Canada to visit.  The fountain lights up different colours and changes shapes though out the night, it is quite nice to sit by the water and watch the show take place.

Here is a night shot of the Ambassador Bridge that links us to the United States.

There are many other attractions to Windsor, including the fireworks that take place in June/July celebrating both Canada Day and July 1st.  The International Freedom Fest (or something else now), or the Casino and the preformances that it is now bringing to Windsor.  If you ever get a chance to drop in to this city on the river, I hope you enjoy your stay!