Welland in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The County Buildings
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025
1. The County Buildings - Marker
By the mid 1800's, growth in the Niagara Peninsula had outgrown the single county government with 22 townships. The area was divided into two regions; Lincoln County in the north and Welland County in the south. After some competition between various communities, Welland was chosen as the site of the new county seat. When completed in 1856, it was an impressive structure and still is today. Walls three to to four feet thick constructed of limestone make up the older portion of the building. It contained a governor's apartment, a grand court room suitable for county business and naturally illuminated by a central cupola. Two smaller type sky lights make up the rest of the [roof] along with numerous chimneys. A jail with over eighty cells on three floors housed prisoners for a wide variety of crimes. The first [hanging] took place took place in 1858 and the last in 1958. A walled courtyard surrounded an exercise area and a registry office building, a separate [registry office] completed the complex. In the 1990's millions were spent to update the facility and is occasionally opened to the public for tours.
Au milieu des années 1800, avec la croissance de la péninsule du Niagara, on arpenta avec 22 cantons. La région fut divisée en deux comtés ; le comté de Lincoln au nord et le comté de Welland au sud. Après quelques compétitions entre les diverses communautés, Welland fut choisi comme vainqueur du nouveau siège du comté. L'édifice fut terminé en 1856; ce fut une structure impressionnante et elle l'est encore aujourd'hui. Les murs de trois à quatre pieds d'épaisseur, construits de calcaire, constituent la partie la plus âgée du bâtiment. Il contenait un appartement de gouverneur, une grande salle d'audience pour les affaires du comté et était éclairé par une coupole centrale. Deux puits de lumière et de nombreuses cheminées complètent le reste du toit. Une prison avec plus de 80 cellules, sur trois planchers, a hébergé des prisonniers. La première pendaison a eu lieu en 1858 et la dernière en 1958. Une cour murée pour de l'entrainement et un bureau d'enregistrement (structure distincte) a complété le complexe. Dans les années 1990, des millions ont été dépensés pour actualiser l'installation et elle est parfois ouverte au public pour des visites.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 42° 59.477′ N, 79° 15.059′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Welland, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on King Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 King St, Welland ON L3B 3H9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. 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 location: Beatty & Sons Shipyard (here, next to this marker); The Aqueducts (here, next to this marker); Merritt Park (here, next to this marker); The Welland Club (here, next to this marker); The Aqueduct Lock (here, next to this marker); City Hall (here, next to this
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
2. The County Buildings - Marker in context
This photo faces west from King St. The marker is on the other side, the side facing the canal. In the background is the west tower of old Bridge 13.
More about this marker. In the inscription: for the few words missing from the English portion, the translation from the French is included in [].
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
