1996.27.1

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Details

ID Number

1996.27.1

Category

Furnishings

Sub-category

household accessory

Item Type

key

Item Name

chain

Date

1875 - 1959

Materials

metal, unknown; plastic

Measurements

overall: 2 3/8 in x 4 7/8 in

Description

(.01) key chain: plastic key tag from "Crawford House"; metal key chain, round balls connected by wire
(.02) key: round shaft, oval ring
(.03) key: round shaft, oval ring, hollow shaft
red, grey and brass coloured

History

"The largest, most ornate and most famous hotel of the earlier days was the sixty room Crawford House, for years Windsor's leading hotel and one of the top notch hotels in Western Ontario." The hotel was built by Alexander Crawford in 1875 on the northeast corner of Sandwich (Riverside Drive) and Ferry Street. It was the second tallest building in Windsor at the time, only the D.M. Ferry Bldg. (changed to the Essex Bldg.) at the corner of Sandwich Street (Riverside Dr.) and McDougall was taller a the time. In 1921, accommodation could be had on the American Plan (which included three meals a day) for $2.50 a night. The Crawford dining room, beautifully decorated with crystal chandeliers, also was the largest ballroom in Western Ontario. The whole length of the building overlooking the Detroit River was a balcony with chairs for watching the activity on the busy river. At the time many more boats were on the river daily and tourists would have a great view from their easy chairs watching the traffic. The best dances and parties were held at the Crawford House as well as other social events of the time. Alexander Crawford died in July 1885 at the age of 63 years. After his death, the hotel changed hands many times. In a run down condition it was demolished during the waterfront revitalization in 1959 along with all the buildings on the other side of Riverside drive from Ouellette Ave to Bruce Ave to make room for what is now Dieppe Gardens. Crawford Ave. on the west side of Windsor was named after Alexander Crawford."

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Crawford Ave. / Avenue Crawford place

Crawford House / Maison Crawford place

Crawford, Alexander person

Hotels / Hôtels subject