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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 |
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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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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted January 26, 2014
I am looking for information on the first man hanged in that gaol. He was related through marriage to me and I am researching my family history. I wonder if anyone can give me the direction I need to go to get this info.
Sincerely E. McGuire
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