Martin’s Access County Park – Where Pilot Rock Park Equipment Began.
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Martin’s Access County Park joined Cherokee County’s park system 59 years ago with the purchase of 24 acres of land along the Little Sioux River northeast of Larrabee, Iowa. The Cherokee County Conservation Board (CCCB) began buying land from the Charles Martin family in 1960. Other purchases followed over the years, with the latest purchase of 78 acres in 2008. Today Martin’s Access is the County’s largest park with 302 acres of recreational land, and features a diverse river valley, prairie habitat and undisturbed timberland. It includes primitive camping areas, full-service camping sites, four modern cabins, over 10 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of riding trails and roads.
This is where R. J. Thomas Mfg. Co. got its start in the park and recreation equipment business.
R.J. “Bob” Thomas had started his own business in mid-1959 near Cherokee to manufacture his designs for some agricultural equipment.
As the CCCB began to develop the new Martin’s Access park land with picnic sites and camp sites, they realized that certain site amenities would be required. In the early Sixties John Gilchrist, a member of the CCCB and a family friend, approached Bob to discuss the idea of making some equipment for the park. The two men worked together and a charcoal grill design began to evolve. The design proved to be durable, useful and popular with picnickers and campers. Bob Thomas had entered a new industry.
R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co. was building agriculture equipment under the company name. So Bob Thomas needed a new identity for the park equipment line. Across the highway from Bob’s factory is a huge glacial rock. It was used as a local landmark by the native Indians and then the pioneers as they both navigated the river and the prairie. It became known as “Pilot Rock.” He could see this rock from his shop every day. So it seemed an obvious choice to adopt the name for the new equipment brand.
And as the saying goes “The rest is history.” The demand for park equipment kept growing. The factory space was expanded. And by the late Seventies the decision was made to discontinue ag equipment production and concentrate on the park and campground site equipment. By now the Pilot Rock line had grown to include charcoal grills, campfire rings, park benches, picnic tables and trash receptacles.
Over the last six decades the company has maintained its historic connection with Martin’s Access. In 2008 when the CCCB was buying some land to enlarge the park, R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co. made a large financial contribution towards the purchase. It has been a good investment. And the CCCB has been a good steward, implementing many improvements to the property and its facilities. The park offers 40 primitive campsites in three campgrounds, 16 full-service campsites and 3 modern rental cabins and one rental lodge. These cabins were designed and built by the CCCB staff with local materials and services. There is a patio outside each cabin that includes a Pilot Rock picnic table, charcoal grill and campfire ring.
The Cherokee County Conservation Board was established in 1959, with a mission to create and maintain a system of county parks and conservation areas. With a dedicated staff of only 4 people, the CCCB now maintains over 1200 acres of park land, wildlife areas, river accesses and natural preserves. It’s a big job, but one that county residents and visitors appreciate with every visit to one of these areas.
The R.J. Thomas Mfg. and CCCB has been a good relationship over the years. Martin’s Access and R.J. Thomas Mfg. have sort of grown up together. So we thought we’d show you some of what Martin’s Access has to offer