History
Of
Cornwall
Jail And Courthouse
Cornwall LACAC joined forces with the United Counties
and the City of Cornwall to officially designate the SD&G Courthouse
and Jail.
Constructed in 1834/35, the building is a fine example
of Palladian architecture, style widely used in the 19th century for institutional
buildings. Two slightly recessed flanking wings, capped by a hip roof balance
the projecting central section, surrounded by a triangular pediment. The
exterior finish of hammer-dressed limestone imparts an austere and imposing
character to the structure, symbolic of the judicial administrative function.
Meetings of the Courts of Quarter Session and later
Counties Council were held there until 1853 when officials purchased the
former town hall of Cornwall, located adjacent to the courthouse and converted
it to administrative offices and meeting rooms.
In 1885 the counties moved their administrative offices
back to the courthouse, adding to the east facade to house these facilities.
The Cornwall Jail area is now the home of the
Cornwall and Seaway Valley Tourism offices. Tours are conducted at certain
times of the year by the staff.
(Click Here To Read
More On The Tourism Site)