The Mansion on the Detroit River Frontier

The Mansion on the Detroit River Frontier. . , 3:1 | Windmills on the Detroit River , Numerous windmills were found along the extent of the Detroit River in the early 19th century. The windmill pictured below is similar to the one which was situated diagonally from the Duff-Baby House. Originally owned by James [Jacques] Baby and possibly built as early as 1790, the mill was used to grind bushels of grain. In fact, it was “reported to have ground as much as 100 bushels of wheat a day during the war of 18 12-13.” [Lajeunesse, The Windsor Border Region] The mills were strategically positioned along the shore to take advantage of unencumbered wind power and provide ease of access for boats. Interestingly, the artist of this watercolour, James Van Cleve, was a Great Lakes ship captain and lived in the Duff-Baby House in the 1880’s., 3:2 | Duff-Baby Mansion , Originally built as a fur-trading establishment by Alexander Duff, this imposing structure is central to the sketch [above] and, in its time, was central to the town’s activities. This ‘mansion’ was built in the ‘Frontier Georgian’ style of architecture and, when constructed, it was the largest building in Sandwich. It’s considered to be “one of the most important and best preserved examples of Georgian domestic architecture surviving in Ontario,” [R. Alan Douglas]. , After Duff’s ownership, the significance of the house shifted from fur-trading to the War of 18 12. The Hon. James [Jacques] Baby bought the house for his residence in 1807. Hence, the house bears the name of the first two owners. Baby was a man of great political and local military influence. Numerous notable individuals involved in the war visited the house, among them: Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, Shawnee Leader Tecumseh, Gen. Henry Proctor and future American President, Gen. William Henry Harrison. While meeting in the dining room of this house in the Fall of 1813 and hearing of American military advancements on the Detroit River, British leaders called for a retreat, also by way of the river. Although the house and many structures in Sandwich were damaged, looted and some destroyed, the Duff-Baby Mansion stands to this day. Presently, the house is owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust., , 3:3 | KEY , 1. Windmill , 2. McGregor-Cowan House , Present address 3118 Sandwich Street , 3. Probable Site of Baby’s Mill , 4. Mill St. , 5. Duff-Baby House , 6. Fishing Huts , Multiple Sites , 7. Courthouse and Jail , Replaced by Mackenzie Hall in 1855/present address: 3277 Sandwich St. , 8. St. John’s Anglican Church and Cemetery , Present address: 3305 Sandwich St. , 9. Military Barracks , Present day Brock Public School Site: 3312 Sandwich St.