The County Courthouse

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A glance at the legacy of a local landmark.

This imposing limestone and brick building on the corner of King and James Streets was originally built in 1848-49 to house the Town Hall. The second-floor council chambers provided a large space where City Council met and held public meetings, and where many social events were held. The ground floor of the building held market stalls; and the police department offices and lock-up were in the basement. The clock tower and its bell have been a local landmark for over 150 years.

This building also housed the county courthouse and offices for Lincoln County when they were moved to St. Catharines from Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1862. When office space became too crowded, the municipal government offices moved into the Benson home located on the lot next door.

Without any other public buildings in which to meet, the Courthouse also served as a meeting hall for local organizations, including the Refugee Slaves’ Friends Society, founded in 1852 to help settle Freedom Seekers arriving on the Underground Railroad. The Courthouse also hosted several dances a year, most frequently held by the fire department.

This building continued as a courthouse until the new one opened on Church Street in 1981, then hosted the Carousel Players Theatre, and today is the home to municipal offices once again.