Near Barkerville in Cariboo, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Richfield Courthouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2010

1. Richfield Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Built in 1882, this is British Columbia’s oldest surviving courthouse, replacing one which stood here from 1862-1882. By 1918, declining population in Richfield led to the building’s closure. Designated a Provincial historic object in 1945, it was restored by the Provincial Government in 1982. Reopened by Hon. A.J. Brummet Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing And Hon. Nathan T. Nemetz Chief Justice of British Columbia June 18, 1983

Erected 1983.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is June 18, 1915.

Location. 53° 3.164′ N, 121° 31.28′ W. Marker is near Barkerville, British Columbia, in Cariboo. It is on Barkerville Highway (Provincial Highway 26). Richfield Courthouse is about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Barkerville. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barkerville BC BC V0K, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the BC Interior

and in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chee Kung Tong Building (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Cornish Wheel & Pump (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Cariboo Gold Fields (approx. 1.9 kilometers away).

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Richfield Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2010

2. Richfield Courthouse

Richfield Courthouse (secondary) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2010

3. Richfield Courthouse (secondary) Marker

Richfield During 1861 the bustling town of Richfield sprang up to serve hundreds who flocked to the new gold finds on Williams Creek. The seat of Government was established here and appropriate buildings constructed. The gravel in this part of the creek was shallow and many claims soon bottomed out, sending Richfield into decline. The Court House, which was built in 1882, is all that remains of the town. The Government Office was here until the turn of the 20th Century, when it was moved to Barkerville. The Court House was last ‘officially’ used in the 1920s. [Photograph from the Barkerville Archives]

Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie holds court. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2010

4. Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie holds court.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,519 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 28, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.