Elgin County Courthouse - St. Thomas, Ontario - Courthouses on Waymarking.com

From the website (http://www.elgincounty.ca/archives/news/new-virtual-exhibit-elgin-county-courthouse):

One of the earliest extant pre-Confederation courthouses in Ontario, it is currently the focus of a multi-million-dollar reconstruction and expansion project consolidating the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice in a single location. Using photographs and key documents from the Archives’ collections, the exhibit tells the story of the evolution of the Court House from the original 1848 deed by which St. Thomas citizen Benjamin Drake conveyed by gift to the Crown the property on which the Court House, Jail and Registry Office would eventually be erected, to the text of a commemorative scroll to be enclosed in a time capsule as part of re-opening ceremonies for the new Consolidated Courthouse, March 18, 2014. In addition to tracing the history of the Court House and treating its functional and symbolic purpose as exemplar and guarantor of justice, the exhibit examines the building’s social role in reflecting and affirming the emotions and values of its host community, as exemplified in the accompanying photograph showing the Court House draped in mourning on the occasion of the death of King George V, January 20, 1936.

For over 150 years, the Elgin County Courthouse has stood as a landmark in St. Thomas. It was just as many years ago that St. Thomas was designated as the county town, where the courthouse and jail, necessary for separate municipal status, were built in 1852-1853.

100_97254The Elgin County Courthouse is one of the earliest pre-confederation county courthouses in Ontario. Designed by John Turner, with influence from architects John Tully and William Thomas, the building dominates the neighbourhood in St. Thomas known as the Courthouse district and is known as the "gem of St. Thomas".

Over the years the building has undergone changes and updates and in 2014, its largest restoration and renovation to date was opened to the public, accommodating both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice in one single facility. A new addition combines the existing restored heritage courthouse and what was once the Land Registry Office Building into one modern complex.

This exhibit will examine the history, use and expansion of the Courthouse, Registry Office and Jail.

Year Built: Originally 1852 Current Use of Building: Civil, Criminal, Enforcement, Family and Small Claims offices. Level of Courts: County Physical Address: 4 Wellington Street St. Thomas, Ontario Canada Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Related Website: [Web Link] Architect: Not listed Dates this building was used to house judicial proceedings: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
At least one original photograph should be added to the gallery. And please describe your impressions and visit to the courthouse.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   01/08/2022 HubbyG visited it 01/08/2022 Desafio visited it 06/16/2016 Keldar5 visited it

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