Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark
True enough about Cogswell specifically, as it was part of the failed Harbour Drive project, but generally the 'slum clearance' actions of the 1950s and 1960s weren't just about automobile infrastructure. For example, a large part of the building clearance was done to create a downtown shopping centre, Scotia Square, which specifically was built to bolster the downtown area in an urban sense.
|
This is, of course, exactly correct and quite at odds with the argument being made. You, ODM, have illustrated quite extensively the areas that were cleared back then for Scotia Square et al. While some buildings that have been lost may be regrettable, the bulk of them were slummy, run-down, worn-out structures that were either unoccupied or only occupied as a last resort, as would be clear if anyone looked at your past posts containing such images.
Quote:
I can't say I know the histories of all the properties you listed, but I had previously found photos from the Halifax Municipal Archives site, showing that an industrial-type business (Cousins - I'm not sure of the nature of their business, but there is a smoke stack visible in the pic) had occupied at least part of the Scotia Chev site you showed. You'll also notice that the Irving station in the picture has been reclaimed for residential - a large apartment/condo building now resides there. See below:
|
I can help you out regarding Cousins at that location on the NE corner of Robie and West. Cousins was a chain of laundries and dry cleaners back then, and that location was their cleaning plant. Their retail outlets were just storefronts, with all items requiring dry cleaning or laundering taken to this plant for that to be done and then returned to the appropriate location. They were around since at least the 1920s as this image suggests:
At some point, I'm unsure when, this became the location of Canadian Linen Supply, who did commercial cleaning for businesses requiring such things, such as restuarants for napkins, uniforms and tablecloths being just one example of their market. They remained there for much of the 1990s until they relocated to Burnside where they remain very much in business. You still see their trucks around town.
Threaded Mode