Blenheim, a community nestled in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada, has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century. The Chatham-Kent region was initially settled as a British colony following Alexander McKee's acquisition of land under Treaty #2, also known as McKee's Purchase, in 1790. The treaty negotiations involved Pottowatomie, Wendat, Ojibwe, and Odtawa leaders and took place in Detroit.
The land in Harwich Township, which surrounds present-day Blenheim, was first surveyed in 1791 by British settlers Lt.-Col. John Graves-Simcoe and Thomas Talbot. These early settlers built roads to connect the area with nearby Detroit. The settlement of the area increased after the War of 1812, and Blenheim was established roughly between 1825-1850.
Blenheim initially sat amidst 10 miles (16 km) of dense forest. The area where Blenheim was established was a dense Carolinian forest with wild elk, bear, wolves, and eagles. However, the region became a "patchwork quilt of farms" when the forests were cut down. Historically, the area was used to grow sugar beets, tomatoes, tobacco, and corn.
The town got its name after resident Mungo Samson recited "The Battle of Blenheim" poem at the Samuel Brundage Inn, according to historians Dr. Fred Landon and Alvin Armstrong. Blenheim had a general store by 1845 and was incorporated in 1885. By 1874, Blenheim was home to dentists and carpenters. A town hall was built in 1866, and Blenheim became an official town in 1885.
Blenheim is home to several major employers, including Rol-land Farms, Platinum Produce, and Thompsons Ltd. The town's Industrial Park and surrounding area house many employers, including Apollo General Contracting, G.W. Clarke Drainage, Gincor Trailer Werx, The Andersons, Sylvite Agri-Services, Hopkins Canada Inc., Lakeview Greenhouses & Farm Ltd, Konal Engineering & Equipment Inc., Woodbridge Foam, Joycor Inc., Rodger Industries, and Resistance Welding Products.
Blenheim and its surrounding region are also home to a number of family farms, many being fruit farms. These include Delhaven Orchards, Glad to Grow Glads, Golden Acres Peach Co., Hat Trick Farms, Manitree Fruit Farm, Pardo's Berrie Farm, Svec's Sweet Cherry Farm, Thompson's Orchards, and Wildflower Bee Farm.
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. The Cherry Fest includes a cherry pit spitting contest and has been the site of the Canadian National Pit Spit Championship since 1981.
Another tourist attraction in Blenheim is the RM Classic Car Exhibit, which offers a guided tour giving 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.
Blenheim is home to two golf courses: Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club and Deer Run. Visitors can also explore Giffin's Maple Syrup Farm, the Talbot Trail place, Rondeau Provincial Park, or C.M. Wilson Conservation area. Local restaurants and eateries in Blenheim include Wayne's Pizza and Subs, Stephen's II Chinese Restaurant, Franko's 12 Buck Pizza, Fat Jimmy'z, Home Run Burger, Venus De Milo, Frostbites Ice-cream shop, Jack's Family Restaurant, and Sandy's Family Cafe. The farm-based brewery, Red Barn Brewing Co., opened in 2020.
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. The indigenous population includes First Nations (1.8%) and Métis (1.7%). The majority of the population are Canadian Citizens (98.5%), with Non-Immigrants making up 93.3% and Immigrants making up 6.6%. The language spoken most often at home is English (98.6%), followed by French (0.1%) and Non-Official Languages (0.8%).
The labour force in Blenheim is diverse, with Sales and Service making up 23.3%, Trades, Transport, Equipment making up 20.2%, Business and Finance making up 12.7%, Education, Law, Community, Government Services making up 10.9%, Health making up 9.8%, Manufacturing and Utilities making up 9.8%, and Natural Resources and Agriculture making up 4.7%.
