Fulford Place in Brockville was the home of George Taylor Fulford, the man who made his fortune with iron tablets called Pink Pills for Pale People, among other patent medicines. We toured this lavish Edwardian mansion today and learned about this family who had fortune but also great tragedy.
George Fulford was born and raised in Brockville. At age 22 he took over his brother's drugstore. He did not make his own medicines, but bought patents. His genius was in marketing them.
The house was built between 1899 and 1901 and once Senator Fulford moved in with his wife and two daughters they enjoyed their new home, hosting parties and entertaining. As if life was not wonderful enough, the Fulford's received an unexpected gift, a longed-for son was born in 1902. But tragedy was about to strike. In 1905, Senator Fulford was killed in a car accident in the United States. A short time later his daughter was married then quickly widowed. The same daughter married again a few years later but died in childbirth along with her baby.
The Fulford family continued to live in the house until 1987, when George Fulford II, the son of Senator Fulford, donated the house to the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Today you can tour the house and marvel at its lavishness: silk carpets and tapestries, fine Mahogany ceilings and panelled walls as well as a collection of art. The Beaux Art style house had its share of famous visitors, including some of Canada's prime ministers and the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII).
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