The R. Boak Burns Law Library is located in the Welland County Court House at 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.
OUR HISTORY
1851 - 1856
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.
1913 - 1914
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. 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.
1950 - 1990
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. 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.
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