Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse
420 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2004/09/27
Other Name(s)
Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse
Courthouse
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
1919/01/01 to 1922/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2006/06/30
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse, completed in 1922, is prominently located on Queen Street, the main street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The imposing, symmetrical, three-storey structure is built of orange-brown stone and brick. It is set back from the street on an elevated site and approached by a circular driveway.
The Courthouse has been recognized for its heritage value by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, By-Law 2004-162. A cenotaph located on the grounds of the Courthouse has also been recognized for its heritage value by the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Heritage Value
Designed by Frank R. Heakes, at the height of his career as Chief Architect of the Ontario Department of Works, the Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse is a fine, and largely unchanged, example of Beaux-Arts Classicism combined with fine workmanship, material and attention to detail. The imposing nature of the structure demonstrates the economic confidence of the Sault at the end of the Clergue Industrial Period (1894-1911) and the Provincial desire to symbolically demonstrate the power of the judicial system.
The courthouse is a landmark because of its striking architecture and prominent setting in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. There has been a courthouse on the site since 1843.
Sources: Sault Ste. Marie Designation By-law 2004-162; Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse Designation Report
Character-Defining Elements
Key character defining elements that define the building's Beaux-Arts Classicism design include:
- its symmetrical southern elevation, presenting a classical facade to Queen Street (the other elevations are plainer versions of the southern facade)
- its temple front facade, consisting of ionic columns supporting a brick pediment
Key character defining architectural elements of the design of Courtroom 1 include:
- classical double cube dimensions
- the subdivision of its walls with double pilasters
- Corinthian capitals
Key character defining elements that reflect Heakes' architectural style in courthouse design include the building's:
- broad central staircase with oak panelling and wrought iron railing
- stained and/or painted glass ceiling over the staircase, illuminated by an exterior skylight
- intricate and detailed plaster mouldings
- woodwork and finishes
Key character defining elements that relate to the building's landmark location include its:
- elevated position
- set-back on the site
- circular drive through a park-like setting
- prominent downtown location close to other important public sites such as the Post Office and the Sault Ste. Marie Cenotaph
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Ontario
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (ON)
Recognition Statute
Ontario Heritage Act
Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)
Recognition Date
2004/09/27
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Governing Canada
- Security and Law
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Government
- Courthouse and/or Registry Office
Historic
Architect / Designer
Frank R. Heakes
Builder
Ontario Department of Public Works
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Community Services Department, Recreation and Culture Division, City of Sault Ste. Marie
Cross-Reference to Collection
Sault Ste. Marie Museum; Sault Ste. Marie Public Library Archives
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
HPON05-0525
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a