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Land in Harwich Township including present-day Blenheim was first surveyed in 1791 by British settlers Lt.-Col. John Graves-Simcoe and Thomas Talbot. The area was a dense Carolinian forest with wild elk, bears, wolves, and eagles.[2] Blenheim initially sat amidst 10 miles (16km) of dense forest. However, the region became a "patchwork quilt of farms" when the forests were cut down.[3] Historically, the area was used to grow sugar beet, tomatoes, tobacco, and corn. Early settlers built roads to connect the area with nearby Detroit.
19th Century: Development & Incorporation
Settlement of the area increased after the War of 1812. Land near Blenheim was purchased by Albert Robertson, and later, Harvey Halstead, Thomas Lynch, and George Hughson were recorded as the first three lot tenants who built homes in Blenheim. In 1837, James W. Little, a militia officer and land speculator of neighbouring Raleigh Township, purchased land at the intersection of Ridge Road and Communication Road, the latter planned by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe to connect the town of Chatham with Lake Erie. By 1845, the first general store opened, followed by a town hall in 1866. By 1874, Blenheim was home to dentists and carpenters.
Whilst settled between 1825–1850, Blenheim was not incorporated until 1885. Historians Dr. Fred Landon and Alvin Armstrong state that the town got its name after resident Mungo Samson recited "The Battle of Blenheim" poem at the Samuel Brundage Inn.[4]
Bell introduced the telephone in 1885, followed three years later by electricity and a Methodist church. A fire department was established in 1891 and three years later was followed by railway that traveled through Blenheim to Windsor. The first high school was built in 1900.
20th Century: Prohibition and Redevelopment.
Blenheim paved its first street in 1920. Blenheim grew during the Prohibition as men were involved in illegal rum-running operations. In 1924, W.G. Thompson opened a grain mill for local farmers.
Blenheim became a part of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent during the 1998 amalgamation of Kent County and its municipalities. Up until 1988, Blenheim had its own elected officials with a mayor, two reeves, and six councillors.[5] The current mayor of Chatham-Kent is Darrin Canniff. In the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Blenheim is a part of the South-Kent region which is represented by 3 councillors: Anthony Ceccacci, Mary Clare Latimer, and Trevor Thompson.[6]
Blenheim received regional media attention in 2019 when councillor Trevor Thompson refused to remove an image of a toy car with the Confederate flag on it, which he had shared via social media.[7]
Economy and industry
Blenheim is home to Rol-land Farms, Platinum Produce and Thompsons Ltd. Blenheim's Industrial Park and surrounding area house many employers. Major employers in the area include:
Apollo General Contracting (60 employees), General contractor specializing in commercial and industrial construction.[8]
Blenheim's slogan is "Experience Unique Shopping", referring to its selection of boutiques and specialty stores.
In July, downtown businesses offer discounts during Ontario's longest running carnival-sidewalk sale, the Cherry Fest and Sidewalk Days.[18][19] The Cherry Fest has been held annually since 1963 with the exception of 2020 and 2021 when it can cancelled due to COVID-19.[18] The Cherry Fest includes a cherry pit spitting contest.[20] Since 1981 it has been the site of the Canadian National Pit Spit Championship. Longtime organizer of the Cherry Fest, J.P. Huggins, was named Citizen of the Year by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce in 2021.[21]
Another tourist attraction in Blenheim is the RM Classic Car Exhibit. A guided tour gives a close-up view of more than 50 classic automobiles from the past century. Blenheim also hosts the Father's Day weekend for the Blenheim Classics Auto-show.[22]
Blenheim is home to two golf courses: Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club and Deer Run. You can also visit Giffin's Maple Syrup Farm. Blenheim also offers a variety of parks and trails including the Talbot Trail place.[23] Other outdoor recreation opportunities can be found in Rondeau Provincial Park, or C.M. Wilson Conservation area.[20]
Demographics
The population of Blenheim is 4,487. In 2021 27.6% of the resident population in Blenheim were 65 or over compared with 19% in Canada. The median age was 50.4 years compared to 41.1 for all of Canada.
Harwich-Raleigh Public School is the "rural" public school. It offers Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. H.R.P.S offers both English and French Immersion programs. H.R.P.S is home of the Wildcats and its school colours are red and white. The motto of the school is: "live to learn, learn to live".[25]
St. Anne Catholic School serves the rural community and the town. It offers Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. St.Anne's offers both English and French Immersion programs. St.Anne's is home to the Stars.[26]
W.J Baird is the in-town public school and offers Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. "Baird" as it is known is home to the Griffins. Its school colours are green and white.[27]
Secondary school
Blenheim District High School is the public high school in the town and is the heart and centre of a lot of community events. B.D.H.S is home of the Blenheim Bobcats, and their colours are Black and Gold (yellow). The population of the school has declined in recent years and is currently under 500 students.
B.D.H.S. offers a variety of Clubs and Athletics including: Student Union, Sears Drama, Musicals, Redfeather events, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Cross-Country, Golf, Tennis, Curling, Rugby, Track & Field, and Badminton.[28]
Media
Blenheim News Tribune: A weekly newspaper published every Wednesday.
Blenheim is home to a strong sports community. It is known for its high school sports teams from Blenheim District High School, which are particularly known for their football and rugby programs.[29] The most popular sports team in Blenheim is the ice hockey team the Blenheim Blades.
Blenheim also offers a variety of minor and competitive sports including:
Minor hockey: South Kent Lightning, the South Kent Lightning was formed by the Communities of Blenheim and Ridgetown.[30]
The minor soccer team is the Blenheim Blaze offering both house league and competitive teams within the Sun County Soccer League.[31]
Blenheim Golden Eagles Gymnastics Club, which is the longest running gymnastics facility in Chatham-Kent.[32]
Blenheim & District Minor Baseball Association
The Blenheim Blast Swim Team, a competitive swim team
There are also two golf courses in Blenheim: Willow Ridge and Deer Run.
Prominent athletes from Blenheim include hockey player Todd Warriner.[29]
Southern Ontario Motor Speedway(South Buxton Raceway) which features a dirt track for auto racing, is located southwest of Blenheim in South Buxton Ont
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