Johnstown in Leeds and Grenville United Counties, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Eastern Ontario's First Court House and Gaol

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 4, 2015

1. Eastern Ontario's First Court House and Gaol Marker

Inscription. Eastern Ontario's first Court House and Gaol was constructed on the waterfront south of this site between 1795 and 1797. The complex included a chamber for the District Court on the upper floor as well as cells and a room for the jailer on the lower level. Later a pillory and stocks were erected next to the Court House. The entire area was enclosed with a picket fence constructed with cedar posts eight feet high. In 1810 the Court and Gaol were moved to new facilities in Brockville, despite the vehement protest of the Johnstown citizens. The structure later served as a place of public worship and as a barracks and gaol during the War of 1812. It fell into a state of disrepair and eventually burned to the ground in 1875.

Erected by Grenville County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.

Location. 44° 44.693′ N, 75° 27.952′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. It is at the intersection of Provincial Highway 2 and Provincial Highway 16, on the right when traveling west on Provincial Highway 2. Marker is located in a lovely turnout in the shadows of the Ogdensburg/Prescott bridge that

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crosses the St. Lawrence river. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown ON K0E 1T1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern 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 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Johnstown 1789 (here, next to this marker); Fort de Levis (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); The Battle of the Windmill (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Welcome to the Site of The Battle of the Windmill / Bienvenue au Site de La Bataille Du Moulin à Ven (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); a different marker also named The Battle of the Windmill (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Nicholas "Nic" Sovie USMC (approx. 4.2 kilometers away in the U.S.); Global War on Terrorism Memorial (approx. 4.2 kilometers away in the U.S.); Korean War Veterans (approx. 4.2 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnstown.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, August 4, 2015

2. Eastern Ontario's First Court House and Gaol Marker

View from the marker towards the waterfront

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.