Chatham-Kent County is named for Chatham in England which name was derived from “ceto” anf “ham” meaning “forest settlement”, and for Kent County in England.
Created: July 16, 1792
January 1, 1998 – Amalgamation of county and city
Region Seat:
Chatham 1792 – 1998
Chatham-Kent 1998 – present
Old Chatham County Courthouse – Chatham
Location: 70 Stanley Street / Seventh Street
Built: 1848 – 1849
Style: Neo-Classical and Greek Revival
Architect: William Thomas
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a three story buff grey coloured limestone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds. The south front has a central entrance with balustraded balcony above. At the roof line is a pediment. There are arched windows on the upper stories. On the centre of the roof is a round cupola with black coloured dome. The building is connected to the former courthouse on the north side.
Former Chatham County Courthouse – Chatham
Location: 21 7th Street / 8th Street
Built: 1948 – 1949
Style: Modern
Architect: Joseph Storey of Chatham
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces west and is a three story buff coloured brick and concrete structure. The building is located on the north side of the old courthouse. On the north side is a two story wing. The building houses the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice.
Courthouse – Chatham
Location: 445 Grand Avenue West ( north side ) / Courthouse Lane
Built: 1970
Style: Modern
Architect: Joseph Storey of Chatham
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a three story glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds. The south front has three vertical concrete towers with recessed glass walls on the first and second stories. The third story has horizontal windows. On the west side is a concrete section with sloped copper coloured roof. The entrance on the west side of the front has a one story projecting section. The roof line is flat. The building was originally constructed as the Chatham County Administration and was remodeled in 2001 to 2005 tho house the Ontario Superior Court and Ontario Court of Justice. The architect was The Venton Group and the contractor was The Atlas Corporation.
Courthouses:
N – Lambton County
E – Middlesex County and Elgin County
W – Essex County, Lake St. Clair and Michigan
Old Chatham County Courthouse
Former Chatham County Courthouse
Courthouse
Photos taken 2018