A Tram moving in front of Dare House, Parry Corner with a Ovaltine advertisement around late 1940s. The place were the house now stands was originally the place were the French placed their Cannons in their siege of Madras in 1758-59. After the wars a Garden House was built and it was owned by Arcot Nawabs daughter. Thomas Parry a free merchant came to India in 1788 and purchased this house around the first decade of 19th century for starting his Factory. Parry was a colourful personality who enjoyed his life fully. In 1818 John William Dare joined the company and diversified the business. He continued to lead the company after Parrys death in 1824 till 1838 when he died due to a fall from Horse. The old Garden House along with lawyers block building constructed during last decade of 19th century were destroyed during 1940s and the new Art Deco building was constructed and inaugurated in 1940 the first multi storey building of Madras.
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