Charlie Thompson Rd

Charlie and his brother walked a cow from Toronto to Dwight

Charlie Thompson’s 1897 barn painted by Brian Simpson brings to life the memoir written by Aldine von Isser.  Brian adds “I included a head profile of a Norwegian fjord horse to add a nostalgic tribute to these handsome animals. The fjord horses where introduced from Norway to Muskoka in the late 1800’s because these horses where acclimatized to our cold winters, very sure footed in winter, and could range feed on marsh grasses which other horses had problems digesting. The fjord horses were smaller and more compact than most North American horses, but very strong and compliant.  They were often strawberry blond and with shaggy manes of blond hair.   I added a rusted old vintage Plymouth to convey the impression of neglect and transition from a time past to the present.”

This paper was presented initially as one of a series of lectures sponsored by the Dwight Library to familiarize local residents with the histories of roads in our area. Having lived on Charlie Thompson Road for 82 summers, I have many memories and stories that I would like to share with you. Some dates and stories may not be accurate as I collected much of this information from people who were also depending on their memories.