The much debated Legacy Beacon project officially opened to the public over the weekend with the City of Windsor hosting a grand opening event on Windsor's riverfront.
Costing just over $10 million, Legacy Beacon is home to Streetcar 351 that was recently acquired and restored by the City of Windsor. Located directly on Windsor's waterfront on Riverside Drive West (between Caron Avenue and Janette Avenue), Legacy Beacon also is home to an onsite historical exhibition and has an expansive covered patio area for vistiors to enjoy a coffee or snack from the onsite cafe.
Streetcar 351 was originally built in 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a 50 feet long streetcar weighing over 24,000 pounds. Windsor historians believe that streetcar 351 along with 352, 353, and 354 were purchased by SW&A (Sandwich, Windsor and Amherstburg Railway) as used streetcars in 1927 from Public Service of New Jersey. SW& A then were equipped the cars with smoking compartments and they were placed into service. When the city switched over to bus service in the late 1930's all of the streetcars were sold for $100. Decades later, Streetcar 351 was found in Belle River and purchased by the City of Windsor with an eye towards restoration and housing. Fast faorward to April 2025 and Streetcar Number 351, fully restored, now calls Legacy Beacon home on the shores of the Detroit River on Windsor's waterfront. (Source: City of Windsor, 2025)
Streetcar 351 Then:
Source: City of Windsor; https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/culture/street-car-351
Streetcar 351 Today:
Source: City of Windsor; https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BYHSQ8KgB/
Want to learn more about Legacy Beacon and Street Car 351? Be sure to head over to the City of Windsor's Project page for articles videos, and more; https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/culture/street-car-351
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