Exploring parties started arriving in the area around 1825 and one of the first villages, Sydenham was settled in 1837. Grey County
was formed in 1852 and named in honor of Earl Grey and the village of Sydenham was incorporated as the Town of Owen Sound.
In 2001 Grey County underwent a major reconstruction of its towns, villages, and townships. This amalgamation reduced the number
of municipalities from 26 to 9. Only Owen Sound and Hanover were unaffected.