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“Rich in Interest and
Charm”
Early in the 1920's
Armstrong-Whitworth Company Limited of England decided that their senior
staff required living quarters that would enable them to feel at home while
they were supervising construction of what was, up to that time, the largest
project ever undertaken in the history of paper making.
In 1923, Mr. Andrew
Cobb, a Halifax architect designed the Tudor-Style "Staff House" and in his
honor the street leading to it was named Cobb Lane.
On May16, 1924, Mr. Bill
Cossitt and three employees of Pickering & Watson, water and sewage
contractors from Halifax signed the register. Three weeks later, the first
dinner was served.
Glynmill Inn, the
Newfoundland Pulp and Paper Company’s executive guesthouse, was designed to
be a hotel with a lounge, or lobby, a dining room and the guest rooms. On
June 30, 1924, Sir Glyn West, Chairman of Armstrong-Whitworth Company
Limited, officially opened the hotel.
The amenities provided
were very advanced for the period. There were two dining areas, The Carriage
Room and a special private dining room for VIP's. There were also two bars,
The Tudor Room and a special club called Blomidon, for members only. The
tennis courts at the rear of the building were later replaced with a parking
lot and a well-stocked livery. There were modern conveniences such as a
laundry and vacuum cleaners! Since the proprietors also owned the source of
power at Deer Lake, there was an apparent inexhaustible supply of
electricity.
Few people realize the
impact and roll of The Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook. Many organizations can
trace their origins back to meetings held here. Bowater's first General
Manager, Mr. H. M. S. Lewin, organized a branch of the British Auxiliary
Navy meetings and first navigation classes were held at The Glynmill
Inn. The Marble Mountain Ski Club rented a room on the third floor as a
"Men's Club" as early as 1925 and the Blomidon Country Club originated here.
The first Girl Guide Company convened during the 1940's in the space now
occupied by The Wine Cellar.
In the early 1950's, the
first adult education classes for the area took place here. Ever since its
inaugural dinner in 1956, the Rotary Club of Corner Brook has had its
regular luncheon meetings at The Glynmill Inn.
In 1974, the property
was acquired by Atlantic Inns Limited. Incorporated into the original
structure, an additional wing with modern guest rooms, banquet and
convention facilities. Resulting in a property, which reflects a
contemporary spirit, yet retains the rich, traditional heritage.
March 31st,
2001, The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador designated The
Glynmill Inn a Registered Heritage Structure.
“Steeped in the
values of yesterday, with a well-earned reputation for the standards of
excellence, attention to detail, and personalized service”.
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- Circa 1949
Click on
image to enlarge
- Glynmill
Inn - note two old cars parked in front - Oct 8, 1935
- Glynmill
Inn - same picture as above, different angle -close-up Oct 8, 1935
- click on window above the door
- Glynmill
Inn - shortly after construction 1924
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