HISTORY
Located on a slight rising ground on Highway 34, stands a very old New England home built
circa 1813 by an early settler, Alanson Cobb. This house was originally called ‘Thornside’ and
has a long history of families growing up under its sheltering roof. Today, you can still see the
original deed of sale signed in 1813 hanging on the wall of the staircase, as well as original
support beams, window frames, two wood fireplaces and 3 ½ feet wide stone foundation.
Maxville had long been regarded as a hockey centre and the citizens realized that a modern ice
arena was a necessity to a hockey team, hence, the Jubilee Rink was erected in the autumn of
1931. In 1979, the Maxville “Jubilee Rink” was dismantled and relocated on the property to be
used as a training facility for prize winning Morgan horses of “Les Six ‘A’ Riding Academy”.
The front portion of the arena is the present location of the Antiques and Gift Shop, a 2-bedrom
apartment and Tack Room. In June 2004, the main house opened as the Cranberry House Bed &
Breakfast. Several home furnishings are of the period and many have been obtained at local
auctions allowing the pieces to remain in the Prescott-Russell region. This year marks the 200th
anniversary of this Loyalist homestead and to celebrate this hallmark event, the Cranberry House
is participating in the 2013 “Doors Open Ontario”.
This is a brief description of what is known today as the Cranberry House B & B:
The 57 acres on Lot #10, #11 and #12 in Concession 2 where Cranberry House stands today are
only a small part of the original property. The earliest records show a patent from the Township
of Western Hawkesbury was issued on September 1, 1797 to Captain David McFall for 400
acres, Lot #11 in Concession 2. Also, a patent was issued on May 17, 1807 to Elizabeth Philips
for 200 acres, Lot #10 in Concession 2. By 1811, Thomas Mears and David Pattee owned much
of the combined Lots #10 and #11 in Concession 2. The following is a chart of ownership
leading to the present day property belonging to The Cranberry House:
June 11, 1813:
Thomas Mears & David Pattee TO Alanson Cobb
October 3, 1854:
Alanson Cobb TO William Higginson
September 16, 1872:
William Higginson TO Samuel Mooney
August 4, 1883:
Samuel Mooney TO John Spratt
January 8, 1885:
John Spratt TO Darwin Stevens
March 9, 1888:
Darwin Stevens TO William H. Byers
June 3, 1905:
William H. Byers TO George H. Byers
May 2, 1908:
George H. Byers TO Richard D. Byers
October 28, 1909:
Richard D. Byers TO John Alexander Byers
December 1, 1909:
John Alexander Byers TO Charles Henry Geen
October 7, 1938:
Charles Henry Geen TO Charles Edward Geen
August 18, 1966
Charles Edward Geen TO Harvey Richard Elwood Hoare
December 30, 1968
Harvey Richard Elwood Hoare TO Helene Pellerin
October 15, 1969
Helene Pellerin TO Jean Baptiste & Julienne Alie
July 24, 2003:
Jean Baptiste & Julienne Alie TO John & Marie Hockett
July 22, 2011:
John A. & Marie Hockett TO John & Sandy Marinelli
There were 3 major building periods that took place on the present property. The
original house was built circa 1813 using stone and log construction.
It took over 100 years to see its next phase. Following his purchase of the
property in 1938 Charles E. Geen built a new kitchen, side porch and study along
the “N” side. He also built the barn.
When the Alie family purchased the property in 1969 many changes took place.
The present day kitchen, sun room and in-ground pool were added to the house.
The Maxville ‘Jubilee Rink’ was relocated on the property. The Alie’s were a well
known equestrian family and raised prize-winning Morgan horses.
In 2003 John and Marie Hockett purchased the present day
property from the Alie family. Renovations were completed
and The Cranberry House was born June 1, 2004.