"Edward "Major" Bowes (June 14, 1874 – June 13, 1946) was an American radio personality of the 1930s and '40s whose Major Bowes' Amateur Hour was the best-known amateur talent show in radio during its eighteen-year run (1934-52) on NBC Radio and CBS Radio." -Wikipedia

On November 13th, 1937 a large fire devastated the Bowes Estate resulting in a $50,000 loss (estimated $838,614 in 2015)

Chief Walter Deems (1937-1938) told the New York Times that the fire started in the chimney and spread quickly throughout the house. A delay in transmitting the fire alarm made it difficult for Millwood Firefighters to attack the fire. Firefighters were able to save the cottage at the location which still exists today on Alapartus Road.