In 1950 Lionel Purcell purchased a farm in north Scarborough, which today is considered to be Toronto's north east end. In 1956 Lionel and Rita were married and began managing Lionel's Farm. Both Canadian born and raised they continued to develop their skills of breeding and showing Shetland Ponies all across the province of Ontario and into some areas of the Northern United States. During part of this time, Lionel worked selling real estate and Rita worked part-time at the Book Society in Scarborough.

In addition to breeding and showing Shetland Ponies, in the early 1960's efforts were underway to have children's birthday parties and school tours visit the farm and interact with the ponies, for the purposes of kids entertainment and education. Through their business and social activities in the community, occasionally people, looking for a new home for their pets, would ask if we would accept it at the farm. From this beginning, along with breeding, the concept of Lionel's petting zoo was established.

Lionel Purcells' activities with various community based endeavors, such as the planning board of Scarborough and the Lions Club served to establish the beginnings of the event and corporate party business for Lionel's Farm. Well known in the community, the Purcells' ponies could be found in a number of different corporate, school or community events through out the year.

Lionel Purcells' personal interest in horse drawn carriages, buggies and sleighs started as a hobby. As time went on he began to develop a classic collection that caught the eye of of the film / movie and television industries. Specifically Lionel's collection has been involved in films such as "Anne of Green Gables" and television productions like "The Road to Avonlea" and Rita McNeil's Christmas Special on CBC Television. Today with over 150 classic horse drawn carriages, buggies and sleighs, Lionel's collection is sought after for weddings, corporate parties / events, seasonal retail store displays and the film / movie and television industries. Seeing them all in one place, is a sight like many have never seen. The smell of quality old wood and history fills the air in the barn where the collection is housed on the farm today.

In 1981 the farm was moved to its current location on McCowan Road in Stouffville. With Scarbough's residential housing area's ever expanding, it was necessary to move the farm further north.

Lionel and Rita Purcell have 4 children, Carrie, Mark, Blair & Holly. Today Blair Purcell is the general manager of the farm and his brother Mark and 2 sisters, Carrie and Holly, assist part-time with various aspects of its operation. Lionel and Rita continue to play a role with the farm, Rita now handling the computer operations for the business.