Dresden in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Dresden

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014

1. The Founding of Dresden Marker

Inscription. In 1846 Daniel van Allen, a Chatham merchant, laid out a town plot on land purchased from Jared Lindsley, the first settler (1825) on the site of Dresden. By 1849 the erection of a steam sawmill, and the operation a grist-mill in the neighbouring Dawn Institute Settlement founded by Josiah Henson, provided the basis for a thriving community in this area. A post office named “Dresden” was opened in 1854. The region’s timber resources and the navigation facilities afforded by the Sydenham River fostered industrial growth. A county by-law of 1871 incorporated Dresden as a village with a population of about 750. Ten years later it became a town.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 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 1846.

Location. 42° 35.417′ N, 82° 10.764′ W. Marker is in Dresden, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. It is at the intersection

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of Main Street and St. George Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Main Street, 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,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Henson House (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Sawmill (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Spirituality and Community (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Harris House (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Josiah Henson (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); The Dawn Settlement / La Colonie de Dawn (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Rutherford United Church Bell (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); Donald Allerton Johnston 1874-1957 (approx.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014

2. The Founding of Dresden Marker

8.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dresden.

Also see . . . Dresden, Ontario - Wikipedia. Hugh Burnett returned to his home town of Dresden, after serving his country in World War II. However, he was not served in some restaurants because he was black. So, in 1948, he and other African Canadians founded the National Unity Association. They collected 115 names on a petition to end discrimination. This resulted in a referendum in Dresden which asked “Do you approve of the council passing a bylaw licensing restaurants in Dresden and restraining the owner or owners from refusing service regardless of race, colour or creed?” 108 voted that restaurant owners should serve everyone. 517 voted against. Read the rest of the story. (Submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

St. George Street, Dresden, Onatrio image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014

3. St. George Street, Dresden, Onatrio

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2014

4. St. George Street, Dresden, Onatrio

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,589 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.