Near Dresden in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Dawn Settlement
⎯⎯⎯
La Colonie de Dawn
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
1. The Dawn Settlement Marker (English side)
In the 1830s, the Reverend Josiah Henson and other abolitionists sought ways to provide refugees from slavery with the education and skills they needed to become self-sufficient in Upper Canada. They purchased 200 acres of land here in 1841 and established the British American Institute, one of the first schools in Canada to emphasize vocational training. The community of Dawn developed around the institute. Its residents farmed, attended the institute, and worked at sawmills, grist-mills, and other local industries. Some returned to the United States after emancipation was proclaimed in 1863. Others remained, contributing to the establishment of a significant black community in this part of the province.
French
Erected by Ontario
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 42° 35.09′ N, 82° 11.77′ W. Marker is near Dresden, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. It is at the intersection of Uncle Tom's Road and Park Street, on the right when traveling west on Uncle Tom's Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29252 Uncle Tom's Road, Dresden ON N0P 1M0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harris House
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
2. The Dawn Settlement Marker (French side)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014
3. The Dawn Settlement Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3,674 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
