Division of Time

195 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 18^th 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. 11^th 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

13-15 Division Street South

Mr. Garnet Hogarth had this building constructed in 1935 to house his new movie theatre. As described in The Kingsville Reporter: “Roxy Theatre, which has been under construction here
for some weeks, had its opening on Monday evening last [October 21st, 1935]. The theatre is modern in all its appointments, and will seat 500 people. It is air-cooled for summer, with forced heat and ventilation for winter; luxurious upholstered leather seats; 100 per cent fireproof; sound equipment, Northern Electric wide range, one of the latest developments in picture-sound science; pictures to be shown will be secured from the largest and best major picture producers. [. . .] The uniformed ushers in the theatre are Robert Tingle and Warren Layman, and the lady at the wicket is Mrs. Hogarth. Mr. Hogarth is his own projectionist.”

NEW THEATRE FOR KINGSVILLE

Mr. Garnett W. Hogarth, of Windsor, this week closed a deal with the owners of the dwelling and land just south of the Phillips’ meat market on Division Street, for theatre purposes. The buildings will be removed from the property and a modern theatre building erected, with an auditorium that will seat 500 people. It will be 45 by 120 feet, and modern in all respects; in fact, Mr. Hogarth says there are only five in Canada that will be equal to it. The buildings now on the property, will be removed, and the erection of the theatre started at once.

Mr. Hogarth is a theatrical man of several years’ experience.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 4, 1935 p.1

ROXY THEATRE

KINGSVILLE

ADULTS 27c., Tax Included

FRI.-SAT., JUNE 19TH-20TH

BORIS KARLOFF in The Walking Dead

Second Feature

Hop-A-Long Cassidy’s “Three on a Trail”

Leamington Post, June 18, 1936 p.2

Roxy Theatre

Now Under the New Management of

JAN MALOTT – MICHAEL LALONDE

The Kingsville Reporter, December 6, 1974 p.10

RAK-N-SNAK

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

DOWN TOWN KINGSVILLE

FORMER ROXY THEATRE BUILDING

The Kingsville Reporter, July 14, 1976 p.6

252 Division Street South

In 1922, the Nicholson Transit Co. of Detroit began offering day trips to Kingsville on their steamer, the Frank E. Kirby. The following year, Nicholson purchased the Grovedale Hotel and it was reported that “[t]he harbor is to be dredged out and the boat will tie up at the west pier and passengers can land within two minutes walk of the hotel. It is understood from official sources that the company intends improving the property to the extent of converting it into an attractive summer resort.” William F. Deane, a partner with Capt. Nicholson, hired the Oxley Brothers to build this summer home in 1928.

 Grovedale Hotel Sold

Nicholson Transit Co., the Buyers

The Nicholson Transit Co., proprietors of the Frank E. Kirby, that plied between Kingsville and Detroit last summer, have purchased from Oliver Fox, the Grovedale Hotel property on Park St. The purchase price is $35,000. We understand the Transit Co will overhaul the hotel and turn it into an eating house to accommodate the people who come here on the boat. The probability is that the Company will soon have a couple more boats carrying excursionists to this point. While quite a few bring their baskets with them, there are many who no not, and these will in future have no difficulty in getting meals at the Company’s dining hall. The work of remodelling will be commenced soon. The harbor is to be dredged out and the boat will tie up at the west pier and passengers can land within two minutes walk of the hotel. It is understood from official sources that the company intends improving the property to the extent of converting it into an attractive summer resort.

Jas. P. Black, local realtor, consummated the deal after several weeks’ negotiation.

The Kingsville Reporter, January 4, 1923 p.1

Nicholson Company Buys Mettawas

A large gang of carpenters and painters are putting in long hours these days working on the Grovedale hotel, which was purchased by the Nicholson Transit Co., of Detroit.

This company owns the Frank E. Kirby, which will make the first daily trip of the season on Saturday Daily trips will be made from then on until the first of September.

The largest real estate deal this place has witnessed for some time took place Monday, when the Nicholson Transit Company purchased the Hotel Mettawas and park on the lake front here. This property is next the Grovedale Hotel and park and will be open to all summer guests and others.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 21, 1923 p.1

Correction

Dear Sir,

We wish to correct a report in the last issue of your paper to the effect that all the Mettawas Park has been sold to the Nicholson Transit Co. As a matter of fact, Mr. Nicholson of this Company has purchased only the Mettawas Inn and Casino and that portion of the park lying in between. All the residential section of the Mettawas park west of the casino has been retained by our Company and the original plan of development into high class residential home sites is being carried out.

We would appreciate this correction being made in your paper.

Your very Truly,

Border Cities Co., Limited.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 28, 1923 p.1