Windsor in Essex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
District Court House and Gaol
When the British withdrew from Detroit in 1796, they transferred the courts of the Western District to Sandwich (Windsor). An abandoned blockhouse, relocated from Chatham, served briefly as the court house and gaol until fire destroyed it in 1797. Its replacement, built soon afterwards, was burned by American soldiers in the War of 1812. A brick court house and gaol, completed by 1820, served until 1856 when the present building was constructed. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style by Albert H. Jordan of Detroit, it was built by stonemason Alexander Mackenzie, who later became Canada's second Prime Minister. It housed the Essex County Courts until 1963. Renamed Mackenzie Hall, the restored building opened in 1985 as a community and arts centre.
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 42° 18.008′ N, 83° 4.598′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Dummer Powell (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary and Henry Bibb (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stone College (within shouting distance of this marker); 1872 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Johns Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Gregory Robert McGregor Esq. (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Hon. Alexander Grant 1734-1813
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2025
2. District Court House and Goal Marker
Also see . . . History of Mackenzie Hall. City of Windsor website entry:
The site of many memorable trials including that of "fighting parson" Rev. J. Spracklin, Mackenzie Hall served as a courthouse until 1963. This page includes an extensive timeline of the site that spans across all of parts of four centuries. (Submitted on May 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 6, 2025
3. District Court House and Goal Marker
cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), June 22, 2012
4. District Court House and Goal Marker
Named for the stonemason who built it, the building is now known as Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre. Marker is by the very large bush/small tree on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2025, by Shirley J Reeve of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on May 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on May 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
