The house was built in about the middle XIXth century. It is dificult to establish the date within a year but it is safe to say that it was between 1845 and 1850, and the first records of the house as the Duke of Cornwall appear shortly afterwards.

In considering the painting of the most appropriate sign it seemed best that it be associated with the Duke of the time when the house was built.

Edward, prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, later to become King Edward the Seventh, was born in 1841. It can therefore be be said that he was the Duke of Cornwall when the building was constructed, and it seems likely that it was in his honour that the house was named.

Search was made for a youthful portrait of the Duke, and the National portrait gallery was found to have a print beleived to be the free rendering of a portrait by the artist Winterhalter.

The original print is still hung over the fireplace in the lounge bar.

Mount Charles is named after Charles Rashleigh of Menabilly, after whom also is named Charlestown, originally West Plomear, which in 1790 had a population of only nine people. The Pier was begun in 1791 for the security of fishing boats, and soon the harbour was developed for exportation of China Clay. Mt Charles is assuredly no mountain, but it stands at the top of the hill out of the town, and to that fact it undoubtedly owes its name.