"Courthouse Building" is a National Historic Site of Canada. The original courthouse and jail was made of wood and built in 1730. The courthouse stood on this same location on Water Street for more than 100 years. Due to its age and condition Governor Thomas Cachrane approved for a new courthouse to be built in 1831. The second courthouse was two stories tall. The second story was used to accommodate public hangings which took place out of the second story window. During the next 70 years the courthouse burnt down twice ( 1846 & 1892 ) .
The current courthouse was completed n 1904 and is an "Richardson Romanesque Revival" stone building. It was constructed entirely from local sandstone and granite. The architect involved in its design was Willian H. Greene and built by a Nova Scotian by the name Samual Manners Brookfield. The building is one of the only stone courthouses found in Newfoundland. The building at one time has housed the Supreme Court, jail, police court, law library, and judges chambers, and continues to be used as a court house today.
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