Our History

Here at Thompson’s Black Rock Park we have a rich family history on our 350 acre farm that dates back 180 years.

It is something that we are most proud of! We love sharing our story about how Black Rock Park developed in to what it is today. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about us also.

The Early Beginnings

On Sept 23, 1843 the east half of Lot 20 Con 11 was patented from the crown to Thomas Thompson who had emigrated to Canada from Paisley, Scotland along with his wife the former Grace Scoular after their marriage in 1834. 

A small log house along with a log barn was built.  During the next few years the west half of Lot 21 Con 12 (March 29, 1862) and the east half of Lot 21 Con 11 (May 23, 1878) were added with additional patents from the crown.  The west half of Lot 20 Con 12 were acquired from John Riddell who had patented that parcel of land from the crown on July 21, 1831.   Thomas & Grace’s family consisted of 4 boys and 4 girls.

John Thompson remained on the farm and during the early 1870’s the existing stone house was built by family members.  John and his family moved from the small log home to the stone house during 1873 .  John and his wife, the former Mary Bain, had 5 boys and 3 girls.  

John’s second son, Daniel (D.J ) moved to a farm on the west shore of Taylor Lake while his sister Martha Jane and brother Thomas remained on the family farm. 

 D.J and his wife, the former Mary Ann Aitkan, raised a family of 9 boys and 4 girls, including their son Russell Thompson. 

The origins of Black Rock Park

One of the boys , Russell, married Mary Rintoul whose family had settled on the north shore of Taylor Lake.  After their marriage on May 19, 1938 Russell and Mary moved back to the family farm to assist Thomas and Martha Jane with the farming operation.  They remained on the farm and became sole owners on May 25, 1956.  A family of 6 girls and 5 boys were born during their marriage.

To help supplement the small farm income, Mary & Russell decided to start a cottage rental business on part of the farm which bordered west shore of Clayton Lake.  This business was known as Thompson’s Cottages.  The first cottages were rented during the summer of 1964.  In 1965 a few campsites were cleared and the campground was born.

The store was added in 1980 and at that time the business name was changed to Thompson’s Tourist Resort.

In 2002 the decision was made to incorporate the family farm & business to help ensure that the future Thompson generations can enjoy what the farm has meant to each of Mary and Russell’s children.  A new name was chosen and reflects the history of the lakeshore where the neighbourhood children would swim and picnic in the years past.   Many family picnics were enjoyed at Black Rock on the shore of Clayton Lake and thus Thompson’s Black Rock Park was chosen.  

We invite you to visit this piece of paradise with hopes you discover family values are still our most important asset.

 

About Black Rock Park