Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The County Courthouse

A glance at the legacy of a local landmark.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

1. The County Courthouse - Marker

Inscription. 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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.

Erected by City of St. Catharines.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 43° 9.541′ N, 79° 14.753′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of King Street and James Street, on the right when traveling west on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 King Street, St Catharines ON L2R 7E3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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

The County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

2. The County Courthouse

Photo faces west. The magnificent building is the old courthouse. The fountain is the tallish near the intersection corner. THIS marker is peaking behind and left of the concrete structure (The Lucius Oille Fountain) at the intersection corner.

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Oille Fountain (here, next to this marker); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1939 - 1945 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Catharines Honour Roll - 1914 - 1918 (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Boer War (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Korea (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Recipients Of The Victoria Cross (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines City Hall (about 120 meters away); St. Catharines Honour Roll - Northwest Resistance (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

3. The County Courthouse

The County Courthouse - inscription over main entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 5, 2025

4. The County Courthouse - inscription over main entrance

Other inscriptions at the same level document the architect and builder.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.