Dresden, Ontario, Canada is a community with approximately 2,600 residents located in north-central Chatham-Kent. An area rich in historical significance, Dresden is home to the historic Uncle Tom's Cabin site - an important stop on the African-Canadian Heritage Tour.

This exhibit presents the inspirational story of former black slave Rev. Josiah Henson, the man upon whom Harriet Beecher Stowe based the title character in her acclaimed anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Spanning the period between 1820 and 1920, the 3.5 km. Trillium Trail Historial Walk highlights historical houses and buildings, examples of early African Canadian architecture and true tales of people who shaped the community.

Downtown Dresden features a lovely selection of shops including fashion boutiques for men and women, craft and gift shops and a rejuvenating day spa. 

Dresden is a beautiful historic town, located in an agriculturally rich area. This community is also home to Dresden Raceway where the sounds of harness racing can be heard during the summer months.

The town of Dresden is built up on both sides of the Sydenham River at the head of navigation, occupying an area of about 623 acres, the greater part of which is on the south side of the river.

Because of its geographical situation, Dresden is assured of a good commercial trade from the surrounding rural districts.  Paved roads connect Dresden with Wallaceburg, to the west of it, Thamesville to the east, and Chatham to the south.  Dresden's location, with its railway facilities and navigable stream, ought to assure it a stability and progress commensurate with the increase of growth in wealth of farm lands surrounding it.  It is a prime spot for an increasing development both in the quantity and quality of its manufacturing industries.

Finally, if one were to single out the main attraction to Dresden, we think this would be found in the quality of its private residences.  Few centers of its size in Ontario can surpass it in this respect.  It has good public buildings in its town hall and schools and churches, but in these it is as in other towns of its size. 

But in beautiful residences, beautiful both in architectural design and in their surroundings, and in the size and number of them, the town has a feature of attraction that would bring prestige to much larger centers and gives to the place an air of prosperity, and comfort, which a passing traveler cannot fair to appreciate.

For Travel Information please visit our Visitor Information Centre at RM Classic Cars. This centre is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is located at Horton Line, off Communication Rd just past the 401. Call 519-352-9024 or 1-877-523-2684.

To find out more about Dresden, please contact Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services at 1.866.542.5994/519.351.7700 or by email at CKeds@chatham-kent.ca