The County of Kent and all of the municipalities contained therein were amalgamated by order of the Province of Ontario on 1 January, 1998 into the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
The Town of Blenheim was originally known as the Ten Mile Bush. It was only when Communication Road was extended through to Shrewsbury that traffic increased bringing more settlers and the need for mercantile facilities within easier reach. A general store and post office were early landmarks. For its first thirty years, the Blenheim's Townsite remained part of Harwich Township but Blenheim was incorporated as a village in 1874, and as a Town in 1885.
The Town of Blenheim is located in the southeast portion of the County of Kent, southeast of the City of Chatham at the junction of Provincial Highways #3 and #40 and County Roads 8 and 19. By road, Blenheim is 6 miles south of Highway #401.
The population of the Town of Blenheim according to the 1994 Ontario Poulation Report was 4,567. The Town occupies a land area of 3.52 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 1,297.4 persons per square kilometre.
The Town of Bothwell was the scene of one of the most spectacular oil booms in Canadian history. An American speculator named John M. Lick struck a massive reserve which virtually transformed the area from a peaceful community of pioneer farmers into a thriving Town. Bothwell was incorporated as a Town by a special act of parliament in 1867.
The Town of Bothwell is located in the Northeast corner of Chatham-Kent in the Township of Zone. Bothwell is located along Highway #79 at a junction with Highway #2.
The population of the Town of Bothwell according to the 1994 Ontario Population Report was 912. The Town occupies a land area of 2.28 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 400 persons per square kilometre.
The City Chatham was named to honour William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham.Sir John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, designated the area at the forks of the Thames River to be of strategic importance, and the City of Chatham thus had its beginnings in 1793 as a military post.
The City of Chatham is located in the centre of the County of Kent. Highways 40 and 2 intersect in the city.
The population of the City of Chatham according to the 1991 cencus was 43,555. The Town occupies a land area of 2762square kilometres resulting in a population density of 1,576.9 persons per square kilometre.
The Town of Dresden In the early half of the 1800's Gerald Lindsley set out by boat and staked his land in an un-pioneered wilderness off the Sydenham River. His property would one day become part of the core of downtown Dresden. Dresden's population grew steadily as people began to settle the region. Many afro- American's who came to Canada to gain freedom settled in the area, including the world famous abolitionist Josiah Henson, otherwise known as "Uncle Tom". Henson established the British American Institute for fugitive slaves who made the trek to Ontario via the Underground Railroad. Dresden was incorporated as a Village in 1871 and as a Town in 1881.
The Town of Dresden is located in the north portion of the County in the Gore of Camden. Dresden forms a junction point between Highway #78 and Highway #21.
The population of the Town of Dresden according to the 1994 Ontario Population Report was 2,492. The Town occupies a land area of 3.18 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 783.6 persons per square kilometre.
The Village of Thamesville was a community of pioneer farmers in its early existence. During the war of 1812 Lemuel Sherman operated a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers during the Battle of the Thames. A post office was established at Thamesville in 1834 and it was incorporated as a village in 1873.
The Village of Thamesville is located in Camden Township along Highway #2 and Intersecting Highway #21.
The population of the Village of Thamesville according to the 1994 Ontario Population Report was 925. The Village occupies a land area of 2.27 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 407.5 persons per square kilometre
The Town of Tilbury developed during the construction of the Canada Southern Railway in 1872. Tilbury's plentiful forests were stocked with white oak and elm trees which made the area prime for timber and woodworking industries. Tilbury was incorporated as a Village in 1887 and as a Town in 1910. Today Tilbury's economy thrives on the many industries which are located in the vicinity. Most of the companies choose the area for its ready access to the United States via Highway #401 to the Windsor/Detroit border.
The Town of Tilbury is located on the western County line separating Tilbury-North and Tilbury-East Townships. Highway #401 and Highway #2 run through Tilbury and intersects County Road 1.
The population of the Town of Tilbury according to the 1994 Ontario Population Report was 4,254. The Town occupies a land area of 5.8 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 733.4 persons per square kilometre.
The Town of Ridgetown was formed along the Ridge Road through Howard Township to the Thames River. For a long time Ridgetown remained a small Hamlet until the creation of the Canada Southern Railway from Niagara to Detroit which ran through Chatham-Kent. This railway prompted industry to develop with its access to other markets. Ridgetown was incorporated as a village in 1872 and as a Town in 1882.
The Town of Ridgetown is located in central Howard Township along Highway #21 and County Road 19.
The population of the Town of Ridgetown according to the 1994 Ontario Population Report was 3,234. The Town occupies a land area of 4.82 square kilometres resulting in a population density of 670.95 persons per square kilometre.
The Town of Wallaceburg began as a small settlement on the forks of the Sydenham noted for lumber and boat building. Wallaceburg as evolved dramatically over the past one hundred years. Now, boasting large diversified industrial base including the manufacturing of plastics and glassware, food processing, sports equipment and plumbing and automotive parts.
The Town of Wallaceburg is located at the north-western end of the County of Kent. Highways 40 and 21 intersect in the town.
The Village of Wheatley was settled in the early 1800's. By 1857 a family by the name McLean had started the first fisheries industry. Further development in this area was possible with the extension of the Lake Erie and Detroit River Railway in 1894. Wheatley was incorporated as a Village in 1914 with representation on the Kent County Council.
The Village of Wheatley is located in the extreme southern portion of Romney Township, in the extreme far reaches of Chatham-Kent. Wheatley forms part of the border between Essex and Kent Counties. Wheatley has access to Lake Erie and the transportation potential it offers. Highway #3 runs through the Village and is intersected by County Road #1.