Belleville in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Market Square
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024
1. Market Square Marker
The market has played a major role in Belleville’s history. The original town plan of 1816 reserved land for a market, immediately east of this site. In the 1840’s this site was chosen and a market building was erected at the east end in 1849. A larger market building (now city hall) was erected in 1872-73. Market Square has been designated by Council to be of historic value because of the importance of agriculture to Belleville’s growth.
Market Square was reconstructed in 1996 with the generous assistance of the businesses of downtown Belleville.
Dutoit Allsopp Hiller
Mirtren Contractors Limited
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.
Location. 44° 9.764′ N, 77° 22.985′ W. Marker is in Belleville, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is on Market Street just east of Front Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is mounted at eye-level near the southeast corner of the Belleville City Hall building, facing Market Square and Pinnacle Street to the east. Touch for map.
this page online
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) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Belleville City Hall / L'Hôtel de ville de Belleville (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Historic Bogart-Carman Building / Site de l'edifice historique Bogart-Carman (within shouting distance of this marker); George Zegouras Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Councillor Wolf Tausendfreund (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Griffin Opera House (about 210 meters away); Great Belleville Floods (about 210 meters away); Formation of the Methodist Church (Canada, Newfoundland, Bermuda) 1884
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024
2. Market Square Marker
The marker is mounted near the southeast corner of the Belleville City Hall building.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Belleville City Hall & Market Square
Also see . . . History of Belleville Farmers' Market.
Excerpt: For more than a century, Belleville City Hall dominated the local streetscape and housed the city's municipal government. Constructed in 1872-73, five years before Belleville became a city, the original building housed an indoor market on the first floor and, on the second floor, a dual-purpose public hall, auditorium, municipal office and council chamber. After yeoman service for almost a century, the building had fallen into disrepair. By 1970, the roof was leaking, window sills were rotting, and falling masonry made life hazardous for citizens attempting to pay their taxes. The solution involved architect Bill White and Bel-Con Engineering of Belleville. In 1986, they proposed a reorganization creating four floors were there had been two. In the new design, the attic became council chamber(Submitted on December 6, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)and executive offices. As well, the second floor was divided to create a third level. These renovations provided 10,000 square feet of additional floor space. A skylight atrium provided exterior light to all floors. The official reopening took place on October 30, 1988. Of course, these improvements meant farmers could no longer conduct their business inside! Not to fear - the Farmers' Market has also been refurbished. Quinte area farmers, artisans and politicians are now handsomely accommodated to carry their tradition of quality service into the new millennium.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 20243. Belleville City Hall Building (east elevation)Looking west from Market Square; the marker is mounted near the left/southeast corner of the building.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2024
4. Market Square
Looking west through Market Square; Belleville City Hall Building is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
