A focus on family history
Tuesday, 28 September 1937
Left St Cloud this morning, another cold day. Passed Wadena, Detroit Lakes, Erskine, Crookston, and am staying the night at Emerson, about 25 from the Canadian Border [actually right on the border in Canada], in one of the cabins on the road. Very comfy.
MB, Canada
Friday, 24 September 1937
Left South Windsor for Detroit about being 7 miles out of town. Took a bus to see the town, then had lunch, and drove out to the Ford Factory. The Factory has 1,096 acres of land, 100 miles of railroads, 19 engines & 30 ships of their own. I sat in a lovely Rotunda, and waited while the other 2, went all over the works. The visitors are taken out in buses. Takes about 2 hrs to walk around, so I sat in comfort in lovely lounge in a most palatial building. Left about 5, and drove to Moscow. Got a lovely camp, all had hot showers and went to bed.
[See pictures of the Rotunda and Ford Rouge plant (current home of the Mustang). The Rotunda was originally built for the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1933 and was dismantled and relocated to Dearborn, MI, home of Ford. It was destroyed by fire in 1962.]
Dearborn, MI
Windsor, ON, Canada
Rotunda Drive Dearborn, MI
Thursday, 23 September 1937
Left Niagara at 8 this morning. Had a lovely drive through Canada to South Windsor, 250 miles run. Staying the night in an auto camp, just outside Detroit. Petrol 4/- gallon, 6 Canadian, is 20% bigger than American in measure. We drove to South Windsor, and stayed the night.
Windsor, ON, Canada
ON, Canada
Wednesday, 22 September 1937
73 miles to Niagara Falls. Went over the Bridge to see the Falls; from the Canadian side, 35c each way. Came back to the American side, and found we had to go back again, 35c again, to go to Detroit. We got to a camp in Niagara, 2 dollars for the 3 of us. Went down at night to see the Falls. Flood lit, a wonderful site, very fine walk, but got very damp with the spray. Saw everything possible at Niagara, lovely outlook, thoroughly enjoyed myself.
ON, Canada
Saturday, 11 September 1937
Left Ford Hotel for Plattsburgh. Passing the border, had our luggage all hauled out of the bus to pass the customs. Had to open all mine. Held the bus up for some time. Got to Plattsburgh. Jack [Spriggins] left us to buy a car, and in 2 hours, we were well on our way to New York, packed in a Essex Sedan for £15 – $75. Had a lovely trip, good country, roads fine. Did over 100 miles, so pulled up at an auto camp, stayed the night. 1 dollar each. 35 cents for use of kitchen. 2 bedrooms, nice furnished and very clean. Had a good tea and went to bed early. Car went well.
QC, Canada
Friday, 10 September 1937
Arrived at 11 last night at Montreal after going through Customs. Taxied to Ford Hotel. [More info] 1$ 50 [$1.50] for the night. In afternoon, bus ride for 2 hours for 1$. Very pretty place, and some lovely homes and avenues. Like Montreal very much. Had tea, fish & chips, very good 1 / – Visited a church, where there are 99 steps, leading to the church. Saw several ladies pray & kneel on every step, 99 of them, for the sick. Had a lovely drive back to the Hotel. Went to bed early.
Thursday, 9 September 1937
Quebec
Lovely day. Sunny and warm, going up the St Lawrence River. Arrive at Quebec at 8. Had to pass Doctor & immigration before we were allowed ashore. Got on shore at 10, took sight seeing bus, 26 of us to the town, I dollar each. Lovely gardens and city wall. Went to Hotel Frontenac, a very large place. Went up to the 17th floor to see the view, clean town. Got back to boat at 11.30. Boat left again at 1 for Montreal. Very pretty going up the river. Busy packing, taking our luggage at 6.
QC, Canada
QC, Canada
Monday, 19 July 1937
Got letter from Floss – I went and booked my passage to Quebec for Sep 2nd then had lunch with Mrs E. then met Mrs Moody, took them to afternoon tea, Mrs Webb called but we were all out so she came back after supper, and we played bridge. I won 4.
Monday, 12 July 1937
Went to Australia House for mail. 2 from Bill, I each Bella & Jack, then went to C.P.R. to see about booking my passage to Montreal. Wrote to Jack Spriggins to see about right date. Had my lunch, rain came on, so went back to the hotel. Wrapped up parcels, had a rest and stayed in the rest of the day. After dinner just sat in the Hall room and yarned. To bed about 11.
Monday, 5 July 1937
Dull today. Elsie did some washing, I put them out after lunch. Mr & Mrs Spriggins called, gave us quite a shock. Elsie made coffee, and we went in the Morris Minor, to show them the road. Want me to go to Canada with them & buy a car, which I have promised to do, leaving Sep 2nd – came back. We put them on the right road, came back to 48.