Royal Pavilion Hotel -Royal Hotel

William Grey's first Royal Pavilion Hotel, on the southeast corner of Dundas and Brock, was another razed by fire, a common place happening then, and replaced with the community's first three-storey brick hotel in 1842 that was the newly-designated town's first municipal election centre in 1852. Later shortened to Royal Hotel, it continued business until Royal Hotel, Design World, Shades of J Hairstylist were all destroyed by fire in the early hours of December 24, 1973. The fire started in the west end of the second floor of the hotel 24 occupants were forced from the hotel and with 16° F temperatures  the water quickly became ice extra help came from Beachville and Tillsonburg. The aerial truck from Tillsonburg was needed as the old aerial truck in Woodstock had not  operated for some time. The Temple apartments on Brock Street suffered heavy smoke damage. Amazing no one was injured in the fire. The Food Rite Restaurant which was directly across the street open it's doors to the fire department served tea and coffee. Later it was found that a 17-year-old from Woodstock was charged with arson February 1, 1974 in connection with you Royal Hotel fire.  Canada Trust built a branch there in 1984 and now it is  a credit union.

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