Belleville in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Belleville City Hall
⎯⎯⎯
L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville

Belleville City Hall (<i>left marker • English</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

1. Belleville City Hall (left marker • English)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] This imposing structure was erected in 1872-73 to house the public market and administrative offices of the rapidly expanding municipality of Belleville. It was designed by John Evans, a local architect, and constructed by contractor John Forin. A fine example of High Victorian architecture, the handsome brick and limestone structure was built as an expression of civic pride and confidence in the future. It is distinguished by tall, arched windows on the second floor, a bell-cast mansard roof with dormers and a massive clock tower strengthened by octagonal buttresses. Aside from its administrative function, the structure has also served as a meeting place for religious, social and commercial organizations. Little altered since erected, it continues today to be the most prominent landmark within the community.

[Français] Cet édifice imposant, conçu par un architecte local, John Evans, a été construit par l'entrepreneur John Forin en 1872-1873 pour abriter le marché et les bureaux administratifs de la municipalité de Belleville en plein essor. Ce bel immeuble' en brique et en pierre à chaux est un exemple 'remarquable de l'architecture victorienne à, son apogée et l'expression de la fierté civique des habitants et de leur foi en l'avenir. Il se distingue par de hautes fenêtres cintrées au premier étage, un toit en mansarde avec larmiers et lucarnes et une tour étayée de contreforts octogonaux. Outre sa fonction administrative, l'hôtel de ville a également servi de lieu de réunion à des organismes religieux, sociaux et commerciaux. Cet édifice, qui a subi peu de transformations depuis sa construction, demeure le site historique le plus important de la localité.

Erected by Ontario

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture/Fondation du patrimoine ontarien, Ministère des Affaires civiques et culturelles.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 44° 9.767′ N, 77° 23.009′ W. Marker is in Belleville, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is on Front Street just north of Market Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker(s) are mounted at eye-level near the northwest corner of the subject building, facing Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 169 Front Street, Belleville ON K8N 2Y8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

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)

L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville (<i>right marker • Français</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

2. L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville (right marker • Français)

Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Historic Bogart-Carman Building / Site de l'edifice historique Bogart-Carman (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Councillor Wolf Tausendfreund (within shouting distance of this marker); George Zegouras Market Square (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Great Belleville Floods (about 180 meters away); Griffin Opera House (about 240 meters away); Formation of the Methodist Church (Canada, Newfoundland, Bermuda) 1884 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); James Bertram Collip 1892-1965 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belleville.

More about this marker. This marker comprises 2 panels mounted side by side. The leftmost panel inscription is in English and the rightmost is in French.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Belleville City Hall & Market Square

Also see . . . Belleville City Hall (Wikipedia).

Excerpt:
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

3. Belleville City Hall & L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville Markers
The markers are mounted side-by-side near the northwest [left] corner of the building.
Built in 1873 as town hall and market by local architect John D. Evans, the High Victorian Gothic Revival became city hall in 1877 when Belleville became a city. Originally a two-storey building, it housed the local farmer's market, which moved in 1961. Two floors were added during renovations in 1988.

(Submitted on November 11, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Belleville City Hall (<i>west/front entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

4. Belleville City Hall (west/front entrance)

Heritage Conservation Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

5. Heritage Conservation Site Marker

(mounted on left side of the front entrance)
Heritage Conservation Easement Site
The heritage character and integrity of this property are protected by a legal agreement between the owner and the Ontario Heritage Foundation
A not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario
—————
Site patrimonial protégé par une servitude
Le caractère historique et l'intégrité de cette propriété sont protégés par un accord juridique entre le propriétaire et la Fondation du patrimoine ontarien
Un organisme à but non lucratif relevant du gouvernement de l'Ontario

Architect & Builder Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

6. Architect & Builder Marker

(mounted on right side of the front entrance)
City Hall 1873
John D. Evans — Architect
John Forin — Builder
Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
City Council, L.A.C.A.C.
Belleville, September 1979

Belleville City Hall Clock Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

7. Belleville City Hall Clock Tower

Belleville City Hall (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024

8. Belleville City Hall (southwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 11, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Belleville City Hall⎯⎯⎯L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville

Belleville City Hall
⎯⎯⎯
L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville