Originally part of Kingston Township, this area was granted to United Empire Loyalists in 1784.

A village first known as "Hatter's Bay" grew in response to the establishment of the provincial penitentiary in 1833, and was formally incorporated in 1858. King Street West was extended across a bay south of here in 1845.

A stone town hall, designed by William Coverdale, was erected on the reclaimed land in 1865. This common was named Aberdeen Park by 1900.