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Lake Lisgar
Located on the north side of Concession Street East, between Broadway and Lisgar Avenue in Tillsonburg, ON. Today enjoyed for its scenic repose, Lake Lisgar has always played an important role in Tillsonburg's development. In the 1850's, when Clear Creek was dammed to create a "boiler pond" for Thomas Hardy's steam-operated sawmill, the pond was not actually located within the boundaries of Tillsonburg proper. Referred to as Hardy's Mill Pond at this time, it lay just north of Tillsonburg's boundaries at the 11th Concession and was actually located in the village of Campbelltown. In 1872, when the town was incorporated, the need for town-wide fire protection became a great concern and by 1874, the pond was bought by the town to accommodate this purpose. It was quickly realized that improvements had to be made to the fire protection system, when fires continued to ravage the community and by 1877 technical improvements and larger hydrants greatly added to these efforts. As well, the Waterworks Pond was given its new name, Lake Lisgar, in honour of Canada's first Govenor General, after Confederation, Lord Lisgar. Soon after, the recreational possibilities were recognized with boating becoming ever popular and afternoon regattas and picnics enjoyed reluctantly along side fishing and swimming enthusiasts. By the 1930's, the Lake Lisgar Improvement Association managed to have the pubic land on the west side of the lake next to the Fairgrounds officially made a park. As well, a dance hall and swimming pool quickly sprung up confirming the future enjoyment of this area for generations to come. In 1994, the Lake Lisgar Renaissance Project saw the revitalization of the lake and adjoining parkland, once again reaffirming the beauty of the area.
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