In 1982 Ray and Wayne Thompson, along with their wives Ann and Teresa, re-established a long tradition of maple syrup production on Ray's parents farm on the west shore of Clayton Lake.
A used 3 1/2' x 12' Lightning Evaporater was
purchased and moved into the sugar camp Ray's father had built in 1954.
In the first year, they gathered sap from 1000 buckets. In 1984, the
main part of the existing camp was built and a 5' x 16' wood fired Waterloo
Evaporater was purchased. A 2' x 5'oil finisher was added at this time
along with 1200 taps on pipeline. After a few years, the existing arch
was converted to oil since it was too difficult to maintain a good supply
of wood to fuel the evaporator.
In the spring of 1999, rebuilding of the maple business
began with the installation of rigid tubing to service all 1900 of the
remaining taps. The sap is now collected from three vacuum tanks and transported
to the camp by tractor and trailer. Another 2500 taps were leased from
neighboring land and put into production in the spring of 2000. A new
24' x 32' addition was completed to enhance the existing sugar camp. This
addition is used for packing syrup, candy making and retail sales.
The Thompson's plan to market more syrup at the sugar camp and have added a stage for entertainment, as well as additional parking area, outdoor displays and new nature trails. Visitors are always welcome.
Call 613-256-1826 or email Thompsontown Maple Products for information.