Cornwall in Stormont Dundas and Glengarry United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
District Court-House and Gaol 1833/ Palais de Justice et Prison de District- 1833
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, April 30, 2022
1. District Court-House and Gaol 1833 Marker
The central portion of this was completed in 1833 and served as the court-house and gaol of the Eastern District. First named Lunenburgh, this district was established in 1788 by proclamation. In 1794 an Act of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada authorized the magistrates of the District Court of Quarter Sessions to erect a court-house and gaol at Cornwall. A two-storey frame structure was completed on this site about 1802 and until destroyed by fire in 1826, served as the centre of local judicial and municipal administration. It was replaced by the main block of the present building which is one of the province's oldest remaining public structures.
La partie centrale de cet édifice, terminée en 1833, servit de palais de justice et de prison au District de l'Est, d'abord appelé Luneburgh, et établi par proclamation en 1788. L'Assemblée législative du Haut-Canada autorisa, en 1794. les magistrats de la Cour de District des Sessions trimestrielles à construire un palais de justice et une prison à Cornwall. Un bâtiment en bois de deux étages, érigé vers 1802, fut le siège de l'administration municipale et judiciaire de l'endroit jusqu'à sa destruction par le feu, en 1826, et fut remplacé par la partie principale de l'immeuble actuel qui demeure un des plus vieux édifices publics de la province.
Erected by Archaeological
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 45° 0.925′ N, 74° 43.656′ W. Marker is in Cornwall, Ontario, in Stormont Dundas and Glengarry United Counties. It is on Water Street West, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cornwall ON K6J 1A1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern 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: United Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glengarry (a few steps from this marker); The Founding of Cornwall
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 19, 2008
2. District Court-House and Gaol 1833 Marker
French language side
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, April 30, 2022
3. District Court-House and Gaol
Photographed by Robert Rusaw, April 30, 2022
4. District Court-House and Gaol
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 19, 2008
5. District Court-House and Gaol 1833 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on July 25, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 10, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. 2. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 3, 4. submitted on May 10, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. 5. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
