Categotry Archives: 1940s

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George & Eva Moore House (1948)

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Categories: 1940s

185185 Division Street South

The end of World War II began a boom in home construction in Canada, and families were eager for a change from the austere existence of the preceding seven years. Although homes built during this period were not going to be large, it was hoped that “houses could be designed as an improved wartime housing unit with basements, central heating and other similar amenities.” In 1945, The Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Act was established, not only to encourage and protect mortgage lending, but to also develop a national building code and improve technology and efficiency. The CMHC worked with Canadian architects to produce floor plan catalogues and blue prints were available for purchase. This home was built for George and Eva Moore in 1948 and is a typical example of a post-war house.

 

Security for your HOME

The Liberals believe that the home is the heart of the nation. They aim to give Canadians every possible facility to build and furnish better homes! With Government assistance you can build a home in the country, town or city. This will make jobs for the building trades, and those who make building supplies – and those who manufacture household equipment and furniture.

New Homes for Canadians – The Liberal Government’s new $400,000,000 National Housing Act, now on the statute books, enables hundreds of thousands of Canadians to get money at low interest and on long, generous terms to build, renovate or enlarge their own homes. Now that Germany is defeated, plans are already in operation for at least 50,000 dwellings. [ . . .]

BUILD A NEW SOCIAL ORDER / VOTE LIBERAL

The Kingsville Reporter, May 31, 1945 p.9

Integrated Housing Plan Is Catching On

Canadian house builders are getting over their pronounced hesitancy few weeks ago to plunge into Ottawa’s NHA Integrated Housing Plan, reports to The Financial Post from several key cities reveal. Increasing numbers each week are applying for a place in the program which, however, will be kept to relatively modest proportions in 1946, it is now officially indicated.

Leamington Post, May 30, 1946 p.1

Housing Is Discussed By Council

A delegation led by Harold Loop, president of the Canadian Legion Branch No. 188, appeared before the council to learn what progress, if any, was being made with the housing problem. Mayor W.D. Conklin explained in detail what was being done.

The mayor reported that the Central Mortgage and Housing Company would appreciate having a resolution from the Kingsville Council in connection with the proposed construction of houses in Kingsville. It was moved and carried that it is necessary and desirable that up to thirty houses be constructed in the community of Kingsville under the inter-graded [sic] housing plan.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 5, 1947 p.1

ONTARIO HOUSING PLAN

FIFTY PER CENT REDUCTION OF DOWN PAYMENTS ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED LOWER COST HOUSES UNDER THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ACT (ONTARIO)

The Province of Ontario will arrange for the loan of fifty per cent of the difference between the amount of the first mortgage and the sale price of a newly constructed house, the Provincial advances not to exceed $1,250.00 on any one house. The loan will be repayable on a twenty year amortization plan with interest at 3½ per cent per annum. Satisfactory evidence will be required that the amount of the first mortgage advance is a reasonable proportion of the value.

The Kingsville Reporter, May 6, 1948 p.7

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Mrs. Ethel Eleanor Wigle House (1945)

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215215 Division Street South

Having a house built in the early 1940s was very difficult. As noted at the time, “There are many reasons for the present housing emergency. In the first instance, ever since 1939, the restriction on workmen and material has decreased the construction of new homes. Housing was becoming scarce even in 1939 so that the period of war accentuated a situation which was already becoming acute.” During and after WWII, rationing was imposed by the Government of Canada. The purpose was “based on two reasons: first, to make more of the consumer’s income available for victory bonds and war savings certificates; and second, to force labor and factories from non-essential production to production of war goods.” This house, built in 1945 for Mrs. Eleanor Wigle, is a typical modest wartime home.

HOUSEHOLD LAXNESS HELPS THE AXIS

Hello Homemakers! As head of supplies for the family, it is up to the homemaker to supply proper foods for energy, take care of the household equipment and spend the household dollar wisely. This accomplished, there will be savings and the good habits of thrift we acquire will carry over after the war period.

Every Government order from the Wartime Prices and Trade Board brings the homemaker a new challenge – a challenge being met cheerfully by all homemakers. For every restriction is the result of a war emergency and is made as a means of helping towards Victory for the United Nations.

Here are some of the points to remember:

1. Don’t waste hot water – It takes fuel to heat every drop of water you waste.

2. Take it easy on wash cloths and towels – Wash in the water and not on the towels. Cotton textiles are difficult to replace as machines are needed to make uniforms, parachutes, etc.

3. Be sparing on cosmetics – They are like may other “luxury” items – pleasant to have, but don’t waste them.

4. Tell the men how to make razor blades last longer – They may be stropped in an empty water glass.

5. Use electricity only when you need it – Don’t leave a light burning uselessly. More electric power is needed for war industries.

6. Don’t turn on the radio unless you want to listen to it.

7. Change to old clothes at home – Wear slacks or an old dress at home. Make your good clothes last longer by keeping them mended and clean.

8. Take care of your shoes – Put padding or shoe trees in them. Have them resoled and heeled. They’ll last longer – and shoe factories are busy working for our fighting men.

9. Go light on butter, cream, sugar, tea, etc. – Many waste butter, use too much sugar, drink tea instead of milk, or use cream when milk would do.

10. Watch your personal health – Get plenty of exercise, fresh air and rest.

11. Don’t throw away anything that can be used – Save everything from toothpaste tubes to rubber tires, needles and pins, nails and screws, boxes and paper bags, etc. Canada needs your salvage.

12. Don’t be a hoarder. Discourage hoarding in others – It creates panic buying, makes rationing necessary. Don’t buy more than is necessary for current needs.

13. Do your job, do it well and cooperate willingly with others.

14. Measure your Victory Quota by “What can I do?” – Enroll in Civilian Defense work. Buy War Savings Stamps and Bonds to the limit. Refuse to pass on rumours and defeatist propaganda.

Essex Free Press, July 24, 1942 p.7

FINAL NOTICE

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS IN ARREARS

The Wartime Prices and Trade Board has ruled that we cannot purchase newsprint paper in excess of the amount we use for subscriptions that are not more than six months in arrears. This means that if your Essex County Reporter is not in the paid-up category it will be necessary to discontinue sending you the paper.

We are glad to say that most of our subscriptions are in the paid-in-advance category, but there are a few subscribers who through neglect or oversight have failed to keep their subscriptions up to date. A working man does not wait for a couple of years for the boss to pay him his rightful wages. And there is no reason why a newspaper should have to wait a couple of years for subscribers to pay up.

IF YOU ARE IN ARREARS – RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY – $2.00 A YEAR – $3.00 FOR 2 YEARS IN ADVANCE

The Essex County Reporter, November 25, 1943 p.4

Make this Pledge Today!

I pledge myself to do my part in fighting inflation:

By observing rationing and avoiding black markets in any shape or form.

By respecting price controls and other anti-inflation measures, and refraining from careless and unnecessary buying. I will not buy two where one will do, nor will I buy a “new” where an “old” will do.

By buying Victory Bonds and War Savings Stamps, supporting taxation, and abiding by all such measures which will lower the cost of living and help keep prices at a normal level.

THE BREWING INDUSTRY ONTARIO

The Essex County Reporter, March 29, 1945 p.6

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Gordon & Jocye Hildreth House (1945)

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Categories: 1940s

195195 Division Street South

During the 1930s, Canada was devastated by the Great Depression. One of the effects of the economic crisis on the Town of Kingsville was diminished tax revenue. Forty per cent of property tax went unpaid in 1934 and in the 1940s, amendments to the Assessment Act provided that “all lands that are three years in arrears of taxes shall be sold whether occupied or unoccupied at the end of the third year.” The property at 195 Division Street South was forfeited to the Town of Kingsville in 1944 for tax arrears in the amount of $353.91. The following year, the Town sold the property to Gordon and Jocye Hildreth for $175, and they had this house built shortly thereafter.

Notice of Intention To Purchase By the Town of Kingsville

IN COMPLIANCE with Sub-section 3 of Section 157 of the Assessment Act, notice is hereby given that the Town of Kingsville intends to purchase all lots and parts of lots that do not sell for the amount of arrears of taxes and costs charged against them, at the adjourned tax sale to be held at the Town Hall, Town of Kingsville, on Monday the 18th day of February, 1935.

List of properties to be sold can be seen at the clerk’s office. W.G. LONG, Clerk

The Kingsville Reporter, February 14, 1935 p.5

MUST PAY UP

Tax Delinquents Threatened with Suit

At its meeting on Monday evening last, the town council talked very seriously about a lot of taxes still unpaid by parties who are apparently financially able to pay. In most cases, these citizen have paid the taxes on the greater part of their property, but are deliberately neglecting to pay taxes on other property in the expectation that the town after three or four years, will take it off their hands.

One or two other wealthy taxpayers with considerable real estate have taken that attitude that when some 40 per cent of last year’s taxes went uncollected that they might as well join the delinquents. The councillors practically all agreed that action should be taken against them to force payment, although the matter will be considered further at a future meeting before definite steps are taken.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 4, 1935 p.5

The town is almost in a financial strait-jacket. Most of the costs of our municipal affairs are moving upwards or at least are not falling. Our debenture payments are fixed at a fairly high level, and will take fifteen years to liquidate. The present tax rate is just enough to cover our costs comfortably, and we haven’t much in the way of uncollected tax arrears to add revenue for the future. The present tax rate will not allow the town to accumulate any reserves.

We all know, on the other hand, that several town projects are almost a necessity for the near future. We can be fairly certain, too, that federal and provincial governments will help finance municipal public works as post-war employment projects. But the municipality would probably be required to pay a percentage of the cost of such projects. So if follows that if Kingsville hopes to benefit from such grants, the town must have some funds on hand to use for this purpose.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 3, 1944 p.2

Gordon Hildreth Succumbs at 63

Gordon H. Hildreth, of 195 Division St. South, Kingsville, passed away on Monday, Feb. 11th at Metropolitan Hospital, Windsor, at the age of 63 years.

Mr. Hildreth was born in Leamington and had resided in Kingsville since 1945. He was a former Prudential Insurance Company agent.

Surviving are his widow, Jocye (nee Whittle); one daughter, Mrs. Richard (Mary) Metz of Comber; and three sisters.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 14, 1974 p.3

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Josephine Whittle House (1945)

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6767 Division Street South

In April 1921, The Kingsville Reporter wrote: “A GOOD MOVE. An old land mark, which for a long time spoiled the appearance of Division St., the old red mill, opposite W.A. Smith’s residence, was yesterday purchased by John Swallow, who will tear down the mill, sell the material and will put the lots on the market.” Built in 1885 by G.W. Green, the buildings included a saw mill and handle factory. The saw mill burned down in 1893, but the factory was saved and expanded to also produce packing boxes for the canning company. In 1905, the “Green red mill” was renovated by the Ontario Cigar and Tobacco Co., and was later used by the Foster Tobacco Co. and Bailey Tobacco. This house, located on the old mill site, was built in 1945 for Josephine Whittle after the death her husband, Carleton.

The G.W. Green & Son’s red factory, on Division street, has been invaded by a number of carpenters who are refitting it for the use of the Canadian Cigar Co.

The Kingsville Reporter, January 19, 1905 p.5

It takes something over 300 window lights to replace the ones broken in the last few years in the red mill, which is being rebuilt for the Cigar Co.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 2, 1905 p.5

Tobacco Plants by the Million

The Ross Leaf Tobacco Co has leased the Seth Tinsley place on Spruce Street, and is having it rapidly covered with tobacco beds. There will 80 beds, 50 feet in length in all. It is calculated these beds will produce two million plants of the black and burley tobacco.

The Kingsville Reporter, April 29, 1926 p.1

Very little, if any, unemployment in town now. The two tobacco factories running full time have absorbed about all workless that were on our streets. The Hodge factory has over 200 at work and the Ross factory the same number. The work will continue until early spring.

The Kingsville Reporter, December 25, 1930 p.5

History of Tobacco Growing In Essex County

The few tobacco growers in the district who are putting in their flue cured plants this week are mainly long-time growers, some even descendants of those who pioneered the growth of the crop here, and are recalling the story of how Essex growers founded this industry in Canada, only to see it all but disappear from the county.

There seems to be no record of just when Essex County settlers first began to grow tobacco, but by 1871 their annual production was reported at 250 thousand pounds. The earliest growers air-cured the leaves and used them in their raw state.

Later they followed the established practices of the southern states in producing more than their own requirements, and for some years exported their surplus to other districts. By the close of the century, Canadians were importing properly dried leaf to satisfy their own increased population demand.

At about this time, experienced southern growers, travelling through Essex County, became interested in the potential of what they formerly considered frigid northlands, and influenced local businessmen to tap this promising new source of wealth.

The first tobacco firm to locate in Kingsville, Wilson and Bailey, bought tobacco from growers, sorted it into grades suitable for manufacturing, dried it so that it might be preserved and aged and packed it into hogsheads.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 9, 1960 p.4