L'Orignal in Prescott and Russell United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

District Court-House and Gaol 1825

Photographed by Kevin Craft, May 28, 2017

1. District Court-House and Gaol 1825 Marker

Inscription.
In 1816 the Ottawa district was established and the Courts of Quarter Session, which at that time possessed local administrative as well as judicial authority, were held in the Township of Longueuil. In 1824 Jacob Marston donated a plot of land in this vicinity for the use of the court. By September, 1825, the central portion of the present building, constructed by Donald McDonald and Walter Beckworth, contractors, was completed. Designed in the Loyalist Neo-Classic style, this is the oldest remaining court-house in the province. Extensive additions were made in 1861–62.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 45° 37.154′ N, 74° 41.443′ W. Marker is in L'Orignal, Ontario, in Prescott and Russell United Counties. It is at the intersection of Queen Street and Court Street, on the right when traveling east on Queen Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1027 Queen Street, L'Orignal ON K0B 1K0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario,

specifically in Southeastern Ontario,

and in the Ottawa Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Palais de justice et prison / Court House and Jail (a few steps from this marker); Bureau d'enregistrement / The Land Registry Office (within shouting distance of this marker); St Jean-Baptiste Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Presbytère de l'église catholique / Rectory of the Catholic Church (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ancien bureau de poste / Old Post Office (about 120 meters away); Maison Poulin House (about 120 meters away); Banque Sterling Bank

Wideview of District Court-House and Gaol 1825 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, May 28, 2017

2. Wideview of District Court-House and Gaol 1825 Marker

(about 150 meters away); The Founding of l'Orignal (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in L'Orignal.

Also see . . . L'Orignal Old Jail tourist attraction. (Submitted on June 1, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)

District Court-House and Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, May 28, 2017

3. District Court-House and Jail

Still in use as a court-house and administrative offices, old jail has become a tourist attraction.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.