Earlier this month, Cornwall citizens were informed that the owner of the Cornwall Square has decided to demolish the section of the building that Sears once occupied. Replacing Sears will be a six to eight story building that will contain retail spaces, as well as multiple floors of residential units. When the Cornwall Square was being constructed in 1978, a lot of buildings and homes had to be demolished to make room for the mall. It is as if this new face-lift will allow this section of Cornwall’s main drag to revert to it’s former state.
At the corner of Pitt and Water Streets (on the East side) used to be the Fiesta Room. In the 40s, a Barber Shop operated in this building by a gentleman named Emile Vachon. Attached to The Fiesta Room was the Lloyd George Hotel, owned by both Lloyd Gallinger and George Bringloe. Many people enjoyed a ten cent draft in the Wharf Lounge, and would bar hop between this location and the bar two doors down. Directly beside the hotel was another building owned by George: Bringloe’s Furniture.
Although many buildings were demolished at the foot of Pitt Street, a large portion of Sydney Street also met the wrecking ball in preparation for the construction of the Cornwall Square. Among several apartment buildings, side by sides and homes, St. Paul’s United Church was also lost. Although the Mall parking garage is in the Church’s former site, the steeple from St. Paul’s United Church was salvaged and moved to its current location in front of the Best Western and Parkway Inn.
Down the road from St. Paul’s Church was Pearson’s Furniture Store. Many people enjoyed attending dances that used to be held there! The furniture store was located beside the Cornwall Street Railway Light and Power Company building. Across the road (at the foot of Sydney and Water Streets) was Halliwell’s Garage. Another section of Cornwall that was lost in the construction of the Square was a portion of Central/Horovitz Park, and Central Park Avenue. A few apartments and homes lined this little avenue.
Cornwall has unfortunately lost much of it’s history in the name of progress. Many homes, hot spots, and businesses were lost in order to build the Cornwall Square. Although these areas of Cornwall no longer exist, they are definitely not forgotten.
