History of Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada

1850 - Church of St. Joseph established at Chatham

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1869 - Chatham
"Chatham — The County Town of Kent, is advantageously situated on the River Thames, at the head of navigation, and is one of the most important towns on the Great Western Railway. Large quantities of grain and farm produce of every description, and stage and square timber, are exported from this place. The Churches are numerous, and handsomely constructed. The Merchants' and the Royal Canadian Banks have each established branches here. Chatham is also noted for its mechanical prosperity. There are three large flouring mills, viz : the Kent, City and Union Mills, two carding and woolen mills, the Chatham machine works of Messrs. Hyslop & Ronald, who manufacture reaping and mowing machines extensively, several other foundry and machine shops, tanneries, breweries and numerous saw mills, the manufacture of lumber is carried on here very extensively. The steamer Daminion plies regularly during the season of navigation between Chatham, Windsor and Detroit. Chatham is distant from Toronto,... Read MORE...

1873
CHATHAM, the chief town of the co. of Kent, Ont., is situated on the River Thames, and on the G. W. R., 67 miles S.W. of London. It has agencies of 3 banks and of a number of fire, life, and marine insurance companies, and contains, besides the county buildings, 8 churches, 2 printing offices, 2 telegraph offices, 3 saw mills, 5 grist mills, 3 woolen mills, 5 foundries, 1 planing mill, pot and pearl asheries, machine shops, soap, candle, and other factories, a brewery and distillery, and numerous stores. A very extensive export trade is done in grain, pork and other country produce, and in lumber, square timber, railroad ties, staves and cordwood. Total value of imports for 1372, $131,319; exports $440,184. Pop. 5,873.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Chatham
Chatham, the chief town of the county of Kent, Ontario, is situated on the river Thames, 67 miles by rail S.W. of London. It contains the county buildings, 8 churches, 2 printing-offices, 3 saw-mills, 5 grist-mills, 3 woollen-mills, 5 foundries, a planing-mill, pot- and pearl asheries, machine-shops, soap-, candle-, and other factories, a brewery and distillery, and numerous stores. A very extensive export trade is done in grain, pork, and other country produce, and in lumber, square timber, railroad ties, staves, and cord-wood. Pop. 5873.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Chatham, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Kent co., Ontario, is situated on the river Thames and on the Grand Trunk, the Canadian Pacific and other railroads, 67 miles SW. of London. It contains the county buildings and has numerous mills and machine-shops, manufactures of wagons and carriages, wheels, hardware, soap, tobacco, etc. A very extensive export trade is done in grain, pork, country-produce, and lumber. Pop. in 1901, 9068.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1921 - Church of the Blessed Sacrament established at Chatham

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1947 - ONTARIO FLOODS CLAIM SIX LIVES Chatham Is Under Water
Peak Anxiously Awaited as Thames River Carries Boiling Waters to Lake St. Clair--River 19 2-3 Feet Above Normal and Millions of Dollars in Devastation Results.

(By George Ronald, Canadian Press Staff Writer)

CHATHAM, April 8--(C.P.)--The rampaging Thames river, running its flood-swollen course into Lake St. Clair, rose today to 19 2-3 feet above its normal level in this western Ontario city of 17,000 and threatened to spill still further over its low banks. The flood waters have claimed six lives over Ontario in the past few days.

Fed by rain and melting snow from rich farmlands of Ontario's western peninsula, the river maintained a steady one-inch-an-hour climb and at 12:30 p.m. was eight inches below the peak of 20 feet, four inches it reached in 1937 in the most disastrous flood in the city's history. City Manager T. M. Kingston predicted it would surpass the 1927 level by mid-afternoon...

WORK ALL NIGHT

In Chatham many persons worked all night taking precautions... Read MORE...

Chatham-Kent has something to offer. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Chatham-Kent:
Visit Rondeau Provincial Park: This beautiful park on the shores of Lake Erie offers hiking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and a lovely beach for swimming. It's a great spot for nature enthusiasts.

Explore the Thames Art Gallery: Located in Chatham, this gallery features a diverse range of contemporary art exhibitions. It's a great place to appreciate the local art scene.

Take a Historical Walking Tour: Chatham-Kent has a rich history, especially when it comes to the Underground Railroad. Consider taking a guided walking tour to learn about the area's role in helping escaped slaves find freedom.

Check out Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site: This museum commemorates the life and accomplishments of Josiah Henson, an escaped slave who became an important figure in the abolitionist movement. It's an educational and historically significant visit.

Birdwatching at Point Pelee National Park: Although technically not in Chatham-Kent, Point Pelee is just a short drive away. It's... Read MORE...