Welland County Courthouse: Foundation of a municipality
In the1840s and early 1850s, a series of events took place which led to the creation of the Village of Welland in 1858.
One of these came in the form of a petition in 1854, which was accepted on the condition that the authorities would be satisfied that the construction of buildings making up the prospective village’s infrastructure would be completed so it could serve as the seat of government for Welland County, which had been created by legislation in 1851. The construction of the Welland County Courthouse and Jail was one of those infrastructure projects.
Thanks to years of care and maintenance this building, a central facet of the identity of Welland, still stands at the intersection of Cross and East Main streets as another reminder of the city’s origins.
The contract to build the courthouse was given to Hellems & Bald Co., which was led by prominent local entrepreneurs John Hellems and William Bald, with Kivas Tully of Toronto (one of Canada’s leading architects) providing the design.
The groundwork was underway in 1855, and the building’s cornerstone was laid on July 6 of the same year by Dr. John Frazer, local elected MP and first Warden of Welland County.
Construction costs were estimated to be in excess of $100,000.
The courthouse was built of Queenston limestone, says a description found on the website, Canada’s Historic Places.
Tully’s design combines neoclassical and Palladian styles, and was three storeys in height, says the website. The front included a monumental pediment, supported by four Ionic columns that rise from the second-storey porch, which is accessed by twin side staircases.
The courthouse’s “pleasing proportions and symmetrical facade illustrate a style and grandeur of architecture which is unique to Welland,” says the site.
Welland County council’s first unofficial meeting was held in the partially constructed courthouse in 1856, with Lorenzo Raymond being elected as first clerk of the peace and county attorney.
After what was then Merrittsville became the Village of Welland on July 24, 1858, the county council’s first official meeting was held in September of that year, in the Grand Jury Room.
Initial staff consisted of the jail’s governor, a turnkey assistant and three guards.
The jail at the time was reported as having a maximum capacity for 72 prisoners — 60 male and 12 female. Each block contained five cells, with a single open toilet.
There was also one cell for those condemned to die. A gallows set up in the execution yard allowed hangings, with the first taking place in 1859.
The exposed stone wall facing East Main Street was the site of the jail yard and gallows.
Early in the 20th century, hangings were moved inside the jail.
The last execution at the courthouse took place Jan. 17, 1958, when Thomas Arthur Laplante was hung after being convicted of murder.
The original boiler system offered poor heat circulation, with cell conditions varying from extremely hot to extremely cold.
The rooftop cupola that can still be seen today was used as a guard tower.
At the time of construction, a tablet with the names of the Welland County councillors of 1856 was placed above the main entrance. One person was later stricken off the list for being convicted and hanged on a capital offence.
The building suffered a fire due to an electrical fault in 1913, affecting the top floors and interiors and erasing 50 years’ worth of records. Renovations followed and largely restored the building to its original appearance.
The need for more space saw the construction of the north annex in 1953, and further renovations, including a registry office, Supreme Court clerk’s offices, an extra courtroom with auxiliary rooms and a law library.
The City of Welland took ownership of the building in 1974, but at various times the courthouse has been in danger of being decommissioned, including during the 1980s and early ’90s when there were discussions about the consolidation of courts in Ontario.
In 1995, an agreement with the provincial government was reached, and the building became home to Welland’s various regional courts. It continues to serve in this capacity.
The courthouse remains a physical reminder of the city’s foundation, a symbol of the rule of law and authority of government.