Chatham in Chatham-Kent County, Ontario — Central Canada

Chatham Blockhouse

— 1794 —

By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

1. Chatham Blockhouse Marker

Inscription. On this site a blockhouse was constructed in 1794 by order of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. He planned to establish here a small naval arsenal which would form a link in the defences of Upper Canada's western frontier and also draw the Indian trade from Detroit. The post was garrisoned by a detachment of the Queen's Rangers, and two gunboats were built; but by 1797 it was abandoned. In 1798 the province's Administrator, Peter Russell, had the blockhouse moved to Sandwich to serve as the Western District's court-house and gaol.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Location. 42° 24.392′ N, 82° 11.024′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of William Street North and Murray Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. The historical marker is located in Chatham, upstream of the fork in the Thames River, in Tecumseh Park, just north of the 6th Street footbridge, situated along a park walkway. Marker is at or near this postal address: 89 William Street North, Chatham, Ontario N7M 4L5, Canada.

Other nearby markers.

By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

2. Chatham Blockhouse Marker

View, looking west, of the historical marker in the right foreground, and of the walkway leading to the forks of the Thames River in the left/center background.

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tecumseh (here, next to this marker); The Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); Skirmish at the Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); British Encampment: Forks of the Thames (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Skirmish at the Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); Casualties of the Skirmish (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatham Armoury (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); John Brown's Convention 1858 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Categories. • Colonial Era • Forts, Castles • Settlements & Settlers •

By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

3. Chatham Blockhouse Marker

View of the historical marker to the left of a marker featuring information regarding "Tecumseh."

By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

4. Chatham Blockhouse Marker

View, looking south, of the historical marker, with a distant view of the 6th Street footbridge in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 17, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.