History
The original owner and builder of 250 King Street West, Charles Leopold Parmenter, was a second generation Gananoquean. His father, James Whitcomb Parmenter came to Gananoque on April 23rd, 1825. In 1832 he married Emily Auchinvole, who had just migrated from Hudson, New York.
Charles, the sixth son of this marriage, when he was 18, in company with William Bulloch, established the rivet manufacturing firm of Parmenter and Bulloch (now named Textron located on Highway #32).
In 1874, after his marriage to Margaret Holland, a belle from Toronto, Charles built his villa at 250 King Street West. The acre of land was part of the original grant to Colonel Stone, founder of Gananoque. The villa was completed in 1877.
Sadly, Charles became ill in 1889, and died at the age of 43. In 1903, following the death of Mrs. Parmenter, the home known as Woodview Villa was sold to Thomas Dempster. It remained a private dwelling until 1946. It is said that the Dempsters were close friends with The Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice. The Earl of Athlone was invited to be Canadian Governor General and was sworn in June 21st, 1940 in Ottawa. He and his wife, Princess Alice, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, spent a great deal of time and effort working in Canada. The Dempsters would often entertain the representatives of the monarch at the Woodview Villa during trips from Britain to Ottawa. In honour of this relationship with significant figures in Canadian history, The Woodview Villa was named The Athlone Inn when it was converted into an Inn in the late 1950’s.
To discover more about the original owners of The Athlone Inn or about The Earl of Athlone’s role in Canadian history, please follow the links provided
The Parmenter Family
Drawing of The Parmenter’s Home from 1888
Parmenter and Bulloch Rivet Factory
The Earl of Athlone
Princess Alice
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