James Samson, a Scottish immigrant, purchased 7,367 acres (2,981 ha) of land in the area in 1852.

Samson built a general store and tavern along the Owen Sound Road (now Highway 6), and named the settlement after his hometown of Cumnock, Scotland.

[6] The railroad line through Cumnock was eventually taken over by Canadian National Railway, and was abandoned in 1983.

[9][10] In 1964, the County of Wellington purchased two parcels of forested land at Cumnock for recreational use.

Located within the westernmost parcel is the Cumnock Tract, a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) walking trail.