Court House and Jail (Harbour Grace)
Court House and Jail (Harbour Grace)![[Court House and Jail: Image]](020.jpg)
This is one of the oldest institutional buildings in the province having been in continuous use as a Court House from the time of its construction in 1830. Only in recent years has the use of the prisoner's cells in the jail portion been discontinued. The first Court House in Harbour Grace was built in the year 1808 and was situated where Gordon Lodge later stood. The present structure was financed on the pledge of every firm doing business in Concep- tion Bay of one pound each (cash) for every 1000 quintals of fish shipped annually. The Carbonear firm of George and James Kemp, for example, sent a cheque in the amount of £45 to represent 45,000 quintals of fish shipped.
Tenders were called for construction of the new court house by David Buchan, High Sheriff, on 11 May 1830. The foundation stone was laid amid colourful and elaborate ceremonies onJuly 26th of that year. Taking part in the Monday ceremonies were Thomas Danson, Esq., Chief Magistrate of the Northern District who laid the stone, Patrick Kough, architect and builder who deposited in the cornerstone "the various coins of the realm, corn, wine, and oil, with a bottle containing the latest publications of the Island, and a scroll of parchment having an inscription descriptive of the event . . . " as well as " . . . the Clergymen of the Town, Magistrates, Merchants, and other respectable inhabitants, the members of the Benevolent Irish Society of Conception Bay, and of the Association of Fishermen and Shoremen, (and) the children of the public schools, to the number of about 350 . . . "
The Newfoundlander of Thursday, July 29, 1830 which carried the record of the event noted in conclusion that " . . . the parties retired to their respective homes, much pleased and gratified with the very novel and interesting proceedings of the day. The excellent arrangements and regularity observed on the occasion -- the large respectable attendance of the inhabitants of Harbour Grace and its vicinity -- the neat cleanly appearance and orderly deportment of the children -- had a most imposing and exhilirating effect, and was altogether such a creditable exhibition as much wealthier and larger towns might have very justly been proud of."