Rossmore House Fire—Friday, April 29, 1910, was the night Halley’s Comet was expected to appear in the heavens. Mr. Birchard, a teacher at Cornwall Collegiate Institute (later CCVS) lived at the Rossmore. At 2 a.m., Birchard had stationed himself at a second-floor window of the Rossmore to watch for the comet. A short time later, night clerk John E. Ross, in his customary rounds encountered Birchard and they had a brief conversation.

Birchard had watched the sky for about an hour when he noticed a wisp of smoke, which he first thought was outside. A moment later he was attracted to the centre of the building and the light shaft there. Birchard immediately became aware that the building was on fire. Night Clerk John Ross discovered the fire about the same time and, together, the men attempted to use a hose that was located on that floor. They soon realized it was a lost cause and began knocking on doors to rouse the tenants and guests. Despite all the firemen’s efforts, the building was leveled. The loss was estimated at $125,000 (about $300M in 2024.)

Twelve people died in the fire. They were: C.C. Gray, manager of Ives Bedding, his wife and two small children who lived at the hotel; an elderly invalid, Mrs. W. Taylor Archibald who lived on the lower floor; Mrs. John Goeller; B. Fielding and C. Gagne, both bankers who lived at the Rossmore; Mary and Jane White who were hotel waitresses; Willie Hulme, a waiter and Ernest Buller, the bell boy. Cornwall was not to have another fine Hotel until the Cornwallis Hotel was built. .