The R. Boak Burns Law Library is located in the Welland County Court House, 102 East
Main Street, Welland, Ontario, Canada. The Welland County Court
House dates back to 1856. It is one of the most venerable
structures in the Niagara Peninsula and has survived one serious
fire and public outcry against demolition. Until, 1851 the
territory of this County was part of Lincoln County, with
representation invested in the Niagara District Council which met
at Niagara-on-the-Lake.
In 1851 legislation authorizing the break away by the municipalities
forming Welland County was passed and to serve the new county a
massive stone building was erected at a cost exceeding $100,000.
The first meeting of the County Council took place in the new
structure on Monday, August 18, 1856.
The Court House was designed by Kivas Tully, one of the most renowned
architects of his day and was erected by the contracting firm of
Hellems and Bald. The building's neo-classical style is
constructed of Queenston limestone and is three stories tall.
Ionic pillars, symmetrical flanked stairways and a pediment
creates a majestic entrance into the building. As well, two small
cupolas and one large adorn the roof.
On June 11, 1913, a fire was discovered in the huge central dome of the
structure that gutted everything except the first floor and the
subsequent restorations were not completed until the end of 1914.
In the 1950's the acute need for additional space caused a controversy
over whether a completely new structure should be built or an
addition be added to the original building. Many influential
voices were raised in support of preserving the old building with
its imposing pillars and classic design. In December of 1997, the
courthouse underwent massive and extensive renovations. Eighteen
months and $8 million dollars later, services were re-located
back to the building in July of 1999. All court levels, both
Superior and the Ontario Court of Justice, as well as the office
of the Crown Attorney are now located at the courthouse.
The staff and all those who were involved in breathing new life into this
beautiful old building agree, that the addition of four new
courtrooms and the consolidation of court services have greatly
benefited the administration of local justice of the City of
Welland and the surrounding municipalities.
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