Charlotte County Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte County Court House |
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Charlotte County Court House in 1895
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Classical-Revival |
| Address | 123 Frederick St. |
| Town or city | St. Andrews, New Brunswick |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°4′32.47″N 67°2′57.26″W / 45.0756861°N 67.0492389°W |
| Current tenants | Charlotte County Archives, St. Andrews Civic Trust |
| Construction started | 1839 |
| Completed | 1840 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Berry |
| Official name: Charlotte County Court House National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1981 |
| Type: | Provincial Heritage Place |
| Designated: | 1997 |
The Charlotte County Court House (which means "Charlotte County Justice Palace" in French) is a very old and important building in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. For a long time, it was where important legal cases were heard for the area. It was actually the oldest court house in Canada that was still being used all the time, until 2016.
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History of the Court House
This historic building was built way back in 1840. It was designed by an architect named Thomas Berry. The court house was built right next to the old Charlotte County Gaol, which was a jail.
How the Building Looks
The court house has a special design called Classical-Revival. This style often uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. One cool feature is its "pedimented portico." This means it has a triangular shape (a pediment) above a porch with columns (a portico) at the front.
In 1858, a large Royal coat of arms was added to the building. This symbol represents the British monarchy and was a common sight on official buildings in Canada back then. Charles Kennedy was the person who added this important symbol.
A Community Hub
In its early days, the Charlotte County Court House was more than just a place for legal matters. It was a central spot for many local activities. People would gather there for elections, which is when they chose their leaders. It was also a place for fairs, parades, and official visits from important people. It truly was a busy and important part of the community.
A Special Historic Place
Because of its age and how well it has been kept, the Charlotte County Court House is recognized as a very important building.
National Historic Site of Canada
In 1981, the building was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This is a special title given to places that are very important to Canada's history. It was chosen because it is the best example in Maritime Canada of a typical court house from the mid-1800s.
Provincial Heritage Place
Later, in 1997, it also received another important title. It was designated as a Provincial Heritage Place under New Brunswick's Historic Sites Protection Act. This means the province also recognizes its historical value and works to protect it.
