Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Adelaide Street Court House
1853
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022
1. Adelaide Street Court House Marker
This building was Toronto’s city and county courthouse for nearly 50 years. It was Toronto’s third courthouse, designed by Cumberland & Ridout in the Classical Revival style, inspired by historic Greek architecture. Many high-profile trials were held here, including the trial of James Brown that resulted in Toronto’s last public hanging in 1862 and the infamous 1895 murder trial that acquitted Clara Ford. The building was often described as dingy and dirty, and in 1897 someone scratched the words “Long Live Anarchy” above the front door. In 1900, court moved to the new city hall located at Queen and Bay Streets. The Arts and Letters Club, an organization devoted to Canadian art, then held meetings in the old courtroom upstairs from 1910 to 1920. The artists who became the Group of Seven met through this club. Over the last 100 years, this building has undergone several renovations.
Erected 2020 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 43° 39.056′ N, 79° 22.545′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Consumers' Gas 150th Anniversary (within shouting distance of this marker); Consumers' Gas Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Excelsior Life Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Toronto's Eighth Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Albert Jackson (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); York Mechanics' Institute (about 90 meters away); York's Second Jail (about 90 meters away); Toronto Post Office/Le bureau de poste de Toronto (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Also see . . .
1. Adelaide Street Court House.
The Adelaide Street Court House, or York County Court House, is a historic former courthouse located at 57 Adelaide Street East in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It served as a court house from 1852 until 1900.(Submitted on March 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Third York County Court House.
The three-storey(Submitted on March 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)York County Court House of 1852 was constructed of white bricks and stone, although today its facades appear darkened by the passage of time. Its north facade on Adelaide Street East has four impressive pilasters (three-sided columns), two on each side of the entrance. As well as housing the court room, the structure contained the offices of the County Treasurer, the Clerk of the Council, the Division Court, the Clerk of the Peace and the Sheriff. Many of the original facilities of the Courthouse still remain, such as the marble trim around doorways.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 20222. Adelaide Street Court House Marker(court house entrance in left background • backside of marker in left foreground)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022
3. Adelaide Street Court House (north/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
