Description
St. George’s Courthouse is a two-storey Second Empire style building located in St. George’s, NL. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Statement of Significance
Formal Recognition Type
Registered Heritage Structure
Heritage Value
St. George’s Courthouse was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001 because of its architectural and historic values.
Architecturally, St. George’s Courthouse is valuable because it is a good representation of the style of judicial buildings constructed throughout Newfoundland during the early 20th century. Most feel that this building was probably designed under Superintendent William Henry Churchill, who was also responsible for designing other similar courthouses in Newfoundland including the one in Greenspond. Built in the Second Empire style, this building is unusual in the fact that it is only two-storeys tall whereas other courthouses built in Newfoundland during that time were a standard three storeys. Though the court rooms were large in size, the lack of a third storey is reflective of the small size of the community.
St. George’s Courthouse is historically valuable because of its associations with the evolution of the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador and the development of the community of St. George’s. Built between 1903 – 1905, it was one of the first courts to be set up on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. Originally the courthouse contained courtrooms, an area to house prisoners awaiting trial, a post office, and a customs office. In 1943 the layout was drastically changed in order to accommodate the Constabulary, a drug room, a treatment room and offices, resulting in the downsizing of the main courtroom. Nine years later, the jail was replaced with a clinic. These changes speak of the increasing need for additional services in St. George’s during the mid 20th century. Currently, the courthouse serves as the St. George’s Indian Band Council Office and houses the Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaq Historical Museum.
Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “St. George’s – St. George’s Courthouse – FPT 1721”
Character Defining Elements
All original features which relate to the age and Second Empire style of the building, including:
-number of storeys;
-mansard roof;
-eaves brackets;
-size, style, trim and placement of central tower with cresting on top;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-large wooden cornerboards;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows;
-pediments and large raincaps over windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of pedimented dormers and dormer windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior wooden doors;
-dimension, location and orientation of building.
All interior features that reflect the original intended use of the building, including:
-ceiling height of the top floor, and:
-existing jail doors and hardware in the lower portion of the building.
Location and History
Community
St. George's
Municipality
Town of St. George's
Civic Address
Main Street
Construction (circa)
1903 - 1905
Builder
William Henry Churchill
Style
Rectangular Long Façade
Location
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