Simcoe County Court-House and Gaol

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2006

Photo by contributor Karl Jacob - Posted June, 2006

Plaque Location

The County of Simcoe
The City of Barrie
On the southeast corner of Mulcaster and McDonald Streets

Coordinates: N 44 23.545 W 79 41.110

Plaque Text

In 1837 the Simcoe District was established and authority was given for erecting a district court-house and gaol at Barrie. The gaol was begun in 1840, the court-house a year later, and both were completed in 1842. An important county judicial and administrative centre, the court-house was enlarged in 1877 and demolished in 1976. The gaol, designed by Thomas Young of Toronto and constructed of Lake Couchiching limestone by Charles Thompson, a builder and steamboat owner, is one of the few in Ontario based on the nineteenth century radial design concept. In 1862 the east wing and outer walls were constructed, and the present roof and lantern replaced a portion of the originally castellated central section. The gaoler's residence was added in 1902.

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Court Houses

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