The marsh went through trying times and determination to keep it a protected area. It went under a few different names over the years: 1806 - Cranberry Marsh, 1820 - Oliphant’s Swamp, 1916 - Fudger’s Marsh, 1975 -Rattray Marsh. Photos of Thomas and Mary Oliphant. The Oliphants were a prominent family living in Clarkson [and members of Carman Methodist]. After the death of Major James Rattray in 1959 the struggle began to acquire the 148-acre estate began. Efforts had failed between 1959 and 1974. In 1974 council approved the motion that the Credit Valley Conversation Authority (CVCA) purchase the remaining 57 acres but was turned down by the CVCA board. Eventually, Mississauga council offered to pay 100 per cent and the province paid half. The CVCA expropriated the land for $1,050,000 and the local preservation committee raised $93,000. On October 5, 1975 Rattray Marsh Conservation Area was officially opened, a heritage and the “city’s jewel” for future generations.
Source: Mississauga.ca historical image gallery