The County Courthouse

The County Courthouse. A glance at the legacy of a local landmark.. This imposing limestone and brick building on the corner of King and James Streets was originally built in 1848-49 to house the Town Hall. The second-floor council chambers provided a large space where City Council met and held public meetings, and where many social events were held. The ground floor of the building held market stalls; and the police department offices and lock-up were in the basement. The clock tower and its bell have been a local landmark for over 150 years. , This building also housed the county courthouse and offices for Lincoln County when they were moved to St. Catharines from Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1862. When office space became too crowded, the municipal government offices moved into the Benson home located on the lot next door. , Without any other public buildings in which to meet, the Courthouse also served as a meeting hall for local organizations, including the Refugee Slaves' Friends Society, founded in 1852 to help settle Freedom Seekers arriving on the Underground Railroad. The Courthouse also hosted several dances a year, most frequently held by the fire department. , This building continued as a courthouse until the new one opened on Church Street in 1981, then hosted the Carousel Players Theatre, and today is the home to municipal offices once again.