Tribute to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel (en francais)

Great spread in the Windsor Star today on the history of the Windsor-Detroit tunnel. The tunnel celebrates 75 years on Tuesday. Fred Martin, a "$25-a-week Salvation Army captain" with vision and determination was the driving force behind it's construction.

We could sure use someone like him today. At the rate we're going, we'll be lucky if the new border crossing is built in the NEXT 75 years - especially if we have to wait for any help from supposed home town boy Paul Martin.

Tunnel visionary proved critics wrong
Salvation Army captain was the force behind 'vital economic link'

Dave Battagello
Windsor Star

Saturday, October 29, 2005


Fred W. Martin, a $25-a-week Salvation Army captain "inspired by God" to build the Windsor-Detroit tunnel, stood proudly before a cheering crowd along the riverfront on a crisp November day in 1930.

The tall, imposing man was hailed during the tunnel's opening ceremony as the driving force behind a project few dreamed would happen.

For Martin, the construction of the world's first international underwater tunnel was the crowning glory of a career that began in an Alberta pool hall and ended four years after the tunnel was built when he died penniless and largely forgotten.

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