Trenton Ward

Located at the mouth of the River Trent and the Head of the Bay of Quinte, this area was first visited by Samuel de Champlain in 1615. The first permanent settlers of the Trenton area were the United Empire Loyalists who arrived in the Quinte area around 1784. The first settlers at the mouth of the Trent River (present day downtown) arrived in 1790, establishing an economy based primarily on the lumber industry.

The first bridge was built in 1833, linking the west and east sides of the Trent River.  Trenton grew steadily in the years that followed attaining the status of village by 1853 and town by 1880. The economy in the area has shifted throughout the years from a primarily lumber and agricultural-based economy to the industrial-driven economy now present. The town was greatly aided with the opening of the RCAF training centre in 1931, which has evolved into Canada's largest air force base.