Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

Harbour Grace Courthouse was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2020 due to its historic and aesthetic value.

Harbour Grace Courthouse was constructed in 1830 and survives as the oldest public building in Newfoundland and Labrador. It served continuously as a court building until its closure in 2016. It is distinguished by its masonry construction and its symmetrical classical front façade with a large central window flanked by two entrances with pedimented mouldings.

That such a prominent court building was constructed at an early date in Harbour Grace attests to the fact that the town was one of Newfoundland’s earliest and most prosperous settlements. It replaced an earlier courthouse from 1808 with one of more substantial construction that was financed through pledges from Conception Bay fish merchants. It was designed and built by Patrick Kough (or Keough), who was responsible for the first colonial legislature building (the Colonial Building) in 1850 and other prominent buildings in St. John’s.

From historical documentation, the building underwent a number of changes over the years both inside and out. The jailer’s residence was added in the late 19th century in a Second Empire Style. Presumably at that time two shed dormers on the west end of the building were removed. As well, the arched doorways on the front façade were altered. A number of upgrades and repairs are evident including the replacement of original wood lathe plaster with metal lathes and the covering up of the original wood wainscoting with a later wainscot treatment. All of the windows were replaced as well but as per the original fenestration during a later restoration (circa 1980), although in a less refined construction. The primary heritage values of the Harbour Grace Courthouse reside in its age, long-term role as a public building, stone construction with massive timber roof and classical building form.

Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Harbour Grace –  Harbour Grace Courthouse – FPT NL-5325”

Character Defining Elements

All original features of the exterior which relate to its age and style including:

-massive, stone wall construction with a face of random-sized, undressed, cut stone with brick surrounds for window and door openings;
-hipped roof with bell-cast eaves supported by a substantial timber frame comprising massive cross beams that support king-posts and rafters;
-brick chimneys with interior diagonal brick flue;
-classical exterior building elements that include: multi-paned, segmental-arched windows with gothic arch divisions comprising a large central window with sidelights with sidelights and two additional smaller windows; two recessed paneled doorways on the front elevation with pediment and pilasters; centrally-located, split stairway; the rear facade with its matching large central window flanked by smaller paired windows; and lower level entry porch;
-late 19th century wood frame jailer’s residence with mansard roof and dormers;
-stone-walled exercise yard at the rear with forged iron security spikes, wood shingle wall caps, and clapboarded wings;
-wood shingle roof with wood gutters;
-and location and orientation within the Harbour Grace Registered Heritage District.

All original features of the interior which relate to its age and use including:

-building arrangement with 8 jail cells on the ground level and the large 1 1⁄2 storey court room on the second level with upper level gallery and plaster cove roof detail;
-original wood doors with rim locks in the gallery;
-steel jail cell doors and window bars and a massive 4” wood door with elaborate wrought iron strap hinges and hardware that leads to the jail cells;
-interior mouldings particularly in the main courtroom comprising: wooden door mouldings; window mouldings and stools; wooden recessed panels on the interior window surrounds; original wooden wainscot treatment;
-original plaster in the courtroom and western rooms;
-built-in cupboard and steel vault on the western wall; and
-mantels in the jailer’s residence and courthouse.

Community

Harbour Grace

Municipality

Town of Harbour Grace

Civic Address

2 Harvey Street

Construction (circa)

1830 - 1830

Builder

Patrick Kough