County Court, Manchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids County Court |
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County Court, Manchester
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Location | 19 Quay Street, Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°28′43″N 2°15′08″W / 53.4786°N 2.2521°W |
| Completed | 1770s |
| Designations | |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Cobden House, 19 Quay Street | |
| Designated: | 2 October 1974 |
| Reference #: | 1247447 |
The County Court building on Quay Street in Manchester, England, is a very old and important house. It was built in the 1770s and is a great example of Georgian architecture. From 1878 to 1990, it was used as the Manchester County Court.
This historic building was once the home of a famous politician named Richard Cobden. It also became the first home of Owen's College. This college later grew into the well-known University of Manchester. Today, it is considered "the best preserved Georgian house in the city centre." It has a special status as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's protected because of its history and design.
A Home for Famous People
From 1836 to 1850, the famous politician Richard Cobden lived in this house. He was a key leader of the Anti-Corn Law League. This group worked to remove special taxes on imported grain. They believed these taxes made food too expensive for ordinary people.
Cobden used the house as his main base during this important time. You can find a statue of him in Albert Square. It stands next to a statue of his friend and fellow reformer, John Bright.
After Cobden moved out, the building became home to Owens College. This college later joined with the Manchester Royal School of Medicine. Together, they formed the Victoria University of Manchester in 1880.
In 1873, the college moved to its current location on Oxford Road. The building on Quay Street was then bought to be Manchester's County Court. It opened its doors as a court in 1878.
By the 1970s, the building was getting quite old and needed repairs. The courts and offices eventually moved out. The County Court officially closed in 1990. Later, the building was bought by a group of lawyers. They carefully fixed it up, bringing back much of its original Georgian style.
What Does It Look Like?
This historic house has three main floors and a basement. It was built in the mid-1700s and later had more parts added to the back. The building is made of red brick laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. It also has a strong base made of stucco.
The front of the house has five sections, with the middle section sticking out a little. The main entrance has a fancy door frame from the late 1800s. This new frame replaced an older, raised entrance with steps.
The windows have raised sills and flat tops. The windows on the ground and first floors have 12 small panes of glass. The windows on the second floor have 9 panes. The basement windows have a rounded top.
Gallery
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Plaque commemorating Richard Cobden and Owens College
