In a very uncharacteristic fit of spring fastidiousness, I came a across a copy of August, 1980’s “In and Around,” Cornwall, tourist brochure, produced by The Print Shop (Cornwall Ltd.)
THE TRAIN
“The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce undertook the responsibility of this attraction in hope of giving visitors to our city a closer view of what” Cornwall has to offer. Starting at the Provincial Tourist Information Centre (now a restaurant) on Brookdale, the train set-out west to Power Dam Drive, and then returned “…to the centre of the city by way of the bike route which follows the beautiful St. Lawrence River.” It continued east “…to view the new Pitt St. Mall and Cornwall Square and then…on Water St. to Le Village, a recently renovated shopping area,” and back to the Tourist Centre along historic 2nd St. W.
“The Tour train arrived in Cornwall on June 30, 1980, and is in other cities” across southern Ontario, where it “…is proving to be very successful.”
According to the writer for “In and Around,” the train’s arrival in Cornwall “…is proving to be a great way to get to know your area and as for tourists, a super introduction to a friendly Seaway City.”
Despite initial enthusiasm for the train, it had a short run, but the idea lingered and several years later a school bus, was painted red to take people around, sadly the “Red Rocket’s life was also short.
(Photo 1 caption) The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s Tour Train, on the newly opened Pitt St. Mall, summer, 1980.
PAST TOURIST SITES.
Cornwall and area residents eagerly created a number of tourist attraction that are now closed.
One of the area’s most destinations was “Osnabruck Tropical Birds,” a free site which featured 40 species of tropical birds, music, a picnic area , 25 gardens, 6,000 gold fish and trails for children, all done by Frank Reid “to make people happy.”
(Photo 2, Caption) Keith Acres’ Car Museum, Highway 2, Ingleside.
The “Land of Nenibush, 10 kms east of Morrisburg, boasted that it was “Eastern Ontario’s Most Authentic INDIAN VILLAGE!”
Inverarden Regency Cottage Museum, restored by Parks Canada, and opened empty to the public in 1979, occupied the height of land overlooking the St. Lawrence on Montreal Road, just west of Boundary Road. The “Cottage,” was now refurnished to reflect the aspirations of retired fur trader and would-be laird, John McDonald of Garth. When it came time to renew the lease in 1999, neither Parks Canada or the City, were interested, and the museum was closed, leaving the mansion vacant.
Fortunately not all local attractions have disappeared as Archie’s Golf range, mini-putt and ice-cream stand, founded in 1955 is still going strong.
ENTERTAINMENT
In 1980, Cornwall was well served with movie theatres. In August the Palace on Pitt St. screened Cheech & Chong’s , “The Next Movie,” “Black Stallion,” “Fame,” “Urban Cowboy,” and Burt Reyolds in “Smokey & The Bandit,” while the Port featured Steve McQueen in “The Hunter,” and Peter Sellers in “The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Man Chu.” And for the night owls, the Seaway Drive-In projected Walt Disney’s “Herbie Goes Bananas,” along with other films. Note how times have changed, as the titles of some of these movies clearly demonstrate that North Americans had not yet discovered “political correctness!”
RESTAURANTS
Today, Cornwall is known across Eastern Ontario for its pizza and poutine, but it has always offered much, much more. Downtown’s late night crowd might hangout at the Colossus , operated by Dino Roussakis from 1974 – 92, on the southeast side of Pitt and 2nd and easily identified by its large illuminated green sign, depicting its namesake. I was often asked by young children what happened to this “tourist attraction,” and I had to disappoint them by saying that the “Green Giant” sign was consigned to the garbage dump.
For seafood lovers, there was the Marie Kingsway, known for its perch plate and still open as the Blue Anchor in Glen Walter, or you could drive along old Highway 2 , to the Lancaster Inn for a perch roll.
Three restaurants vied for the “fine dining” crowd. Alexandria had “The Hub of Glengarry,” and Brownie’s at the Parkway Motor Inn (Best Western) claimed they were Cornwall’s “quality steak house.” Don’t feel too nostalgic when I tell you that you could order a strawberry daiquiri for $2.25, French onion soup for $1.75, a plate of onion rings for two for $1.75, and “Surf & Turf,” for $14.95. As good as Brownie’s was, it couldn’t compete with La Seigneurie, in Glen Walter, for a “taste of class.”
(Photo, 3 La Seigneurie, caption.) The guiding light behind La Seigneurie was Cornwall businessman George Assaly. Situated in the Craig home, originally built in 1828 and enlarged in 1910, this Edwardian mansion exuded charm and was recommended in “Where to eat in Canada.” Sadly, the restaurant was consumed by fire in January, 1980, closing a new era in fine dining before it hardly began. This sketch was done by local artist Bob Blair, former head of St. Lawrence College’s Graphic Arts’ Department, now closed.
Since World War 1, Cornwall has been home to at least one Chinese eatery. Now long gone, the flamboyant neon sign in front of the Bamboo, at 1225 Brookdale Ave., let everyone know where the restaurant was located. While advertising informed everyone that they were “Cornwall’s Most Outstanding Dining Lounge…The Home of Fine Chinese and Canadian Cuisine.” I wonder what the proprietors of the other local Chinese restaurant’s thought of this?
SHOPPING will just have to wait for a second story, as there are just too many to adequately mention.
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