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 Charlie Corn
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
I'm not sure what the story is behind this place that is situated in a fairly secluded area of the island. If you know, please fill me in. One of my bosses tells me Charlie Corn was a successful businessman on Guam many years ago (I'm a little familiar with his name by buildings and real estate). The rumor is he is buried in this place, but we didn't see a grave, a tombstone, or anything to shed some light on the mystery. I Googled him, and found there is a Charlie Corn scholarship but did not find any info about the man himself.
I'd like to know how they got all the materials and heavy equipment up the mountain to build the site. From what I understand, this place was built long before any of the roads in the area were constructed. Curiouser and curiouser!
The entrance:
Concrete steps lead you to the gazebo in the back:
The view from the concrete platform near the gazebo:
I agree with Carolyn! But it's fun to venture into our creepy surroundings. Hehehe
Thanks for the info, Patrick. Interesting stuff.
Yeah, the secluded places can be creepy--but in a fun way! On the hike Al and I were reenacting scenes from Blair Witch to amuse ourselves.
Hahahaha I can just imagine you two reenacting that!
Hasn't the White Lady been known to roam the ruins of the Corn mansion? I remember hearing stories as a kid.
You might not have found anything about the man himself, but you might be interested to read this, a post from a real-life Charlie Corn living in London at this very moment in time... much info about this Guam guy appreciated, I've never come across anyone else with my name before!
I lived on Guam on 74 and 75, and these pictures are the first I have seen of Charlie Corn's place since I was a young child then. I was 6 then, and I used to roam the boonies freely with my brother and friends. My parents trusted us I guess. We used to go to Charlie Corn's site every once in a while. My recollections of the place are nothing like the pictures shown here. This place was beautiful, clean, and out in the middle of nowhere. There were usually fresh cut flowers placed out there. I find it odd that nobody took care of the place.
To the best of my knowledge, Charlie Corn passed away in 1973. Also, to the best of my recollection, I always thought he was buried there, but I was never sure exactly where. We, as kids, used to call it "Charlie Corn's grave."
Steve
Oh, by the way, when the place was "new" back in the early 70's, there were no roads up to it either. I have no idea how the stuff got up there.
Steve
My hometown was in Sinajana, Ghura Housing behind St. Jude church, until I joined the Air Force in 1997 and left the island. Charlie Corn mountain overlooks my village and I have many childhood to teenage memories of me, my friends and relatives climbing that mountain lots of times. I do "mamber" (remember) that Asian building. There a lot of hidden waterfalls, ponds deep enough to swim in, people ought to go hiking in that area.
charlie corn is my grandpa. anthony is my pops. funny seeing a page about my grandpa.
Charlie Corn was my grandfather on my mother's side. His body was removed around 10 years after his death by his son Alfred who lives in Hong Kong. He is now buried in China next to his second wife. My grandmother, Esperanza, was his first wife. His other 3 children, live in California. I believe that the 19 grandkids, numerous great grandkids & great, great grandkids are in California, Utah, Philippines and one in Guam. I am amazed that people still remember my grandfather after 33 years!
Hi. I remember seeing Mr. Charlie Corn once. I usually accompanied my dad while doing his errands. At one point, he stopped at the old Andy's Barber shop in Agana/Hagatna. I was still a young child (with a great memory to this day-yikes!) and that day, I remember my dad talking with him. Charlie Corn may have been Guam's first millionaire; moreover his pocketbook did not separate him from the local people of Guam. From what I gathered that day and thereafter, Mr. Corn felt so comfortable around people from all walks of life. When we left the barbershop, my dad whispered to me, "Honey girl, that man wearing the hat is Charlie Corn." I knew by my dad's body language and posture, he was addressing a very important man of our community. I'm proud to have had a glimpse of him; and I'm even more proud to be one of his granddaughter's close friends (Hi, Joyce!).
Joyce, do you have contact with Eugene Lee, who was also Charlie Corn's grandhild? He was a classmate at Bishop Baumgartner who moved shortly after the eighth grade. I always wondered what happened to him--we were good friends. This would have been back in 1978 or 1979. He was very artistic. If you ever run into him, remind him about Sr. Marda and our art class. It should bring a chuckle. She gave us both fits for being talented, but slow. Eugene made an actual shoe. I wonder if he still has it?
Using this link you can see a sattelite picture of Charlie Corn's grave.
I use to live in Agana Heights.Back in the early 80's I use to lead bonnie stomping tours up to the grave from that direction. The sight has one of the best views of the island. You can simultaneously see both coasts at the narrowest part. You can also see the southern mountains.
From this picture you can see the road that they used to bring all the building material for the grave. It goes past the FAA approach beacon for the International Airport. Occasionally you can see airplanes flying low over the site on their approach to the airport:
http://www.google.com/maphp?hl=en&q=guam&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&z=18&ll=13.453471,144.740651&spn=0.002509,0.005364
Its funny Peter should mention Charlie Corn's grave (8-24-06) and also Bishop Baumgartner Junior High School. I went to the same school..8th grade for me was 80-81. You can see the grave from the basketball court if you look south- west.
I never knew that Eugene Lee was Charlie Corn's grandchild.
I remember Sister Marda's Art class. She also taught Caligraphy as an elective if I recall correctly.
I just missed you at BBJHS, Dennis- I went on to FD in 1979. About two years ago, I contacted Sr. Marda, who has retired to the mother house somewhere in Wisconsin, I believe. She was in strong spirits and spends all her hours praying. She is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, after all.
She is a testament to true faith. I believe she came to Guam during the cultural revolution and lost all contact with her family for decades. She taught my mom many years before she taught us, and I am certain she taught the kids of our classmates.
Although I gritted my teeth through her criticisms, I learned to appreciate her better and use her ideals in my work. 'Do it well, do it fast and don't stop to pat yourself in the back, or you get nothing done.'
This message is to Peter. Yes, Eugene Lee is my brother! He owns a shoe store in San Francisco with my sister Genny. The store is named "Smash Shoes." He is artistic. He lives in SF. I will tell him to vist this site. My email is joyjade@sbcglobal.net. I'll give him a call right now and tell him about you Peter. Hope to hear from you!
This message is to Peter. Yes, Eugene Lee is my brother! He owns a shoe store in San Francisco with my sister Genny. The store is named "Smash Shoes." He is artistic. He lives in SF. I will tell him to vist this site. My email is joyjade@sbcglobal.net. I'll give him a call right now and tell him about you Peter. Hope to hear from you!
I'm laughing my butt off from the comment about the White Lady anonymously entered at 07. 4. 05 at 10:54AM...oh, I remember those ghost stories...especially the story that "if anyone tries to drive through the White Lady's bridge during a full moon, their vehicle will die out and come rolling down the hill back down to the bridge where supposedly the White Lady comes out from underneath the bridge, to your vehicle, and then slap you in the face for disturbing her grave rest." Oh man those were the days.
When I was stationed at Guam Naval Hospital between 1962 and 1964, I was frequently invited to Charlie Corn's house for dinner. Apparently, he had a liking for Naval Medical Officers.
Dr. Bill Rogers
charlie corn is my grandfather..im the long lost one,looking for corns clan,just a little info .my father is anthony elwick corn/my mother is emma estudillo..its just nice to know the roots.thanks
I lived on Guam and attended GW Jr. HS, GWHS and UOG from 1969 to 1976. Something made me think of Charlie Corn today, so I Googled and found this site. I vaguely remember seeing the old house in Maite. What I remember most at that time is that Charlie was always adding on to his mansion. He believed that, and maybe this is a Chinese superstition, as long as you keep adding on to your house you will not die.
I consumed many San Miguel beers at Charlie Corn's at Clark A.F.B. in the Philippines in '53 ^ '54.
Is this the Same "Charlie Corn" of Guam?
Yes, Charlie Corn's at Clark AFB in the Philippines in '53 is the same "Charlie Corn" of Guam, my grandfather.
I lived on Guam from 1959-1966 and our family knew Charlie Corn and family. As a child we went to his home for dinners ( my Dad was Don Kenney and his wife Lucille, with Bank of America). I loved to visit the bakery and the Pagoda on the hill. My name at the time was Robyn Kenney, Lori was my younger sister, and my brother was Steve. I remember the pond with turtle too.... It was a magical time for my family. We loved Guam ( later moved to Phiippines). We are now in Oregon. How wonderful to read about Charlie Corn.
can anyone tell me where exactly charlie corn gravesite is? my neice has a project of taking photos of landmarks on guam and we have been given various sites as to where it is but still can't find it.
This is all so interesting.
My family owns the old Corn Building in Anigua. Unfortunately, we cut off the design that the building was long known for once we took over the building. I regret that decision.
I have always wanted to know more about Charlie Corn. I went to Bishop Baumgartner Junior High from 84-87. Once a few of us hiked up the pipeline that supposedly goes up to Charlie Corn's grave. My group didn't make it all the way up, though.
I also had Sister Marda for art class at Bishop. She was great. She made the class stand up and do "eye exercise". I also have to say our class drove her crazy but she put up with us and didn't give up.
I think I know who Anthony Corn is--a realtor on Guam. Maybe I'll give him a ring to learn more about his grandfather/great-grandfather(?).
This is all so interesting.
My family owns the old Corn Building in Anigua. Unfortunately, we cut off the design that the building was long known for once we took over the building. I regret that decision.
I have always wanted to know more about Charlie Corn. I went to Bishop Baumgartner Junior High from 84-87. Once a few of us hiked up the pipeline that supposedly goes up to Charlie Corn's grave. My group didn't make it all the way up, though.
I also had Sister Marda for art class at Bishop. She was great. She made the class stand up and do "eye exercise". I also have to say our class drove her crazy but she put up with us and didn't give up.
I think I know who Anthony Corn is--a realtor on Guam. Maybe I'll give him a ring to learn more about his grandfather/great-grandfather(?).
HI Maybe I`am related. Our Corne group came from Peter Corne in N.C,
HI Maybe I`am related. Our Corne group came from Peter Corne in N.C,
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Charlie Corn was not only successful on Guam his holdings stretch as far as the PhiIippines. The Corn family owns a Island resort complete with bungalows on a lagoon somewhere in a remote PI provence. Charlie's grandson Anthony is the former board chair of CAHA during the "You're Stilll The One" administration. The former Corn residence is in Maite on the Calvo compound cliffline closest to Tiyan. One of the Calvo children has since built another huge home on the property. From what I understand he was the first Millionaire to actually live on Guam. His family world-wide still are well to do.
Said Patrick on 06.29.05 at 11:10 AM