History of Willow Lake Campground and RV Park Woodstock Ontario Canada www.willowlakecampground.ca
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Land Grant to John Harrington
This farm, lot 8, con.11 East Zorra, is the east half of a 200
acre grant taken by John Harrington from the Crown in Oct. 1844. To this was added in recent years 25 acres to the south, being part of lot 7.
John Harrington came to Canada from Vermont U.S.A. and this farm was continually in the hands of his descendants until Feb. 1915 -
Owner John Harrington 1844-1881
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1857 Atlas
1857 Atlas -
1857 Atlas - Property shown
1857 Atlas - See plot labelled Harrington -
Cheese Factory - note small circle referencing cheese factory
1876 Atlas -
Spring Creek Cheese & Butter Manfc Co of East Zorra
"WILLOW LAKE DAIRY FARM" formerly known as Spring Creek Farm. -
Spring Creek Cheese & Butter Manfc Co of East Zorra
Stamp as viewed at Oxford County Archives
Description
Made of heavy metal. Painted black and gold. Handle which you push down to get the embossed seal (handle is broken). Seal comes out of lions mouth.
This company was located where Willow Lake Park is now found, Con. 11 lot 8, East Zorra.
Link text -
Owner - Jacob Harrington 1881-1890
John Harrington died, property to Jacob Harrington (doc#82228) -
Owner - Hiram Harrington 1890-1907
Jacob Harrington to Hiram Harrington (doc#5518) -
Woollen Mill
Date unknown
A Woollen Mill was operated for a number of years on this farm.
It was run by water from the artificial lake to the mill. Farmers for miles around brought wool as taken from the sheep's back and took it home woven into blankets. -
Owner - John Powell 1907-1915
Harrington Estate to John M Powell (doc#9470) -
Land known as Willow Lake Dairy Farm
"WILLOW LAKE DAIRY FARM" formerly known as Spring Creek Farm.
The three surviving Jackson brothers operate 120 acres as a dairy farm -
Owner - Charles Jackson 1915–1939
The three surviving Jackson brothers operate 120 acres as a dairy
farm, their sisters, Misses Florence and Madeline Jackson, having purchased the artificial lake and 5 acres of the surrounding land and developed it.
The artificial lake was used as a swimming pool in connection with a summer resort and summer cottages known as Willow Lake Park. Mr. Carl Berlett of Woodstock purchased this park from the Misses Jackson in 1954 -
Willow Lake - Family/Friends at Swimming Pool
All are wearing short sleeve blouses. The woman on right of image is running her hand through the back of her hair. Something white is in front of the second woman from the left side. Background is an in ground swimming pool. A wooden diving board (?) Is behind the women right side. A group of people are in front of a wooden slide at center background. Trees are in full foliage.Link text -
Owner - Florence & Madeline Jackson 1939-1954
1939 - 1954 Florence & Madeline Jackson (to Burlett doc#18215) The three surviving Jackson brothers operate 120 acres as a dairy
farm, their sisters, Misses Florence and Madeline Jackson, having purchased the artificial lake and 5 acres of the surrounding land and developed it.
The artificial lake was used as a swimming pool in connection with a summer resort and summer cottages known as Willow Lake Park. -
Aerial View
late 30's possibly
note:
-area where cars are parked is now year round residents
-stone cottage located mid-right still exists
-top right is where current campstore and owner's residence are, used to be a snack bar, you can see steps on the right leading up to a balcony/patio where you could purchase snacks -
Owner - Earl & Mary Burlett 1954-1965
1954-1965 Earl & Mary Burlett (to Sommers doc #A70361) The artificial lake was used as a swimming pool in connection with a summer resort and summer cottages known as Willow Lake Park. Mr. Carl Berlett of Woodstock purchased this park from the Misses Jackson in 1954 -
Newspaper Article
Newspaper Article about draining of pool -
Fun by the pool
photo courtesy of Wilhelmina Duivenvoorde Ross -
Smokin' by the pool
photo courtesy of Wilhelmina Duivenvoorde Ross -
Historic photo
August 1961 -
Owners - James & Joyce Sommers 1965-1972
1965-1972 James W & Joyce L Sommers (to Bergman doc#B22216) -
Owner - Ron and Jane Bergman 1972-2017
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Fun times
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A cold Coke by the pool
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Western Weekend
screen grab from the Western Weekend event video 1982.
Full video on youtube https://youtu.be/bNzAnZ-JqzQ -
Fun in the pool
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Fun in the Pool
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New Pool built
New pool at Willow Lake built to replace famous large old swimming pool which was to be demolished due to age -
Old Pool demolition
Famous old concrete pool demolished due to age -
New Owners - Mark and Melanie Jaycock 2017
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New branding, new sign!
Willow Lake Park Officially becomes Willow Lake Campground and RV Park -
New Games Room!
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New Campstore and Office
A great spot to pick up all the camping essentials, focusing on campers' needs, suggestions, and local items -
New Playground
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Winner of Small Campground of the Year
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Great season 2019
Record breaking summer -
2 new cabins added
All cabins painted in fun colours, added new red and orange cabins -
Winner - Camper's Choice for Best Customer Service - Camping in Ontario
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Summer 2020, summer of covid
Crazy year, opening delayed until June 11th -
Winner Campers Choice Award, Best Customer Service
Winner of Best Customer Service, 2nd year in a row! -
Covid continues, summer of 2021
Delayed Opening Until June 12th.
Busiest year in past 5.
Many many new campers to the park, record numbers -
Opened New Retro Cottage
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Winner Campers Choice Award, Best CampStore
4th provincial award in 5 seasons!
