Guysborough County is named for Guy Carleton, who was the 1st Baron Dorchester and the Governor of the Province of Quebec and Governor General of British North America.
Surrounding Courthouses:
N – Inverness County and Richmond County
E – Atlantic Ocean
S – Halifax County
W – Pictou County and Antigonish County
County Created : 1836
County Seat:
Guysborough 1836 – present
Old Courthouse – Guysborough
Location: 106 Church Street / Queen Street
Built: 1842 – 1843
Style: British Bulldog / Gothic Wood Frame
Architect: Elisha Randall
Contractor: Elisha Randall
Description: The building faces northeast and is a one story white coloured wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the town centre. The architectural style of the building is typical of early court houses. The building has several unique features including a projecting enclosed porch with a gable roof at the main entrance, and attractive windows arranged symmetrically around the building with their tracery pattern culminating in an unusual pointed arch. The roof is hipped and has cedar shakes. On the southwest side is a one story extension. The interior has a large courtroom on the southeast side with a second story balcony and rooms on the northwest side. The building is now a museum.
History: The first courthouse and jail was built in 1790 in Guysborough when located in Sydney County which was created in 1785. The second courthouse was built in 1825 and served until 1843. The county was created in 1836 and Guysborough was selected as the county seat. The third courthouse was built in 1842 to 1843 and is still standing. The old Jail and Registry Office built in 1843 along the southeast side of the courthouse, were removed in 1975. In 1858, the fourth courthouse was built in Sherbrooke. In 1879 the county was divided into the District of Guysborough with seat at Guysborough and District of St Mary’s with seat at Sherbrooke.
Note: Guysborough County does not have a current courthouse and the courthouse in Antigonish County now serves the county. Since 1973, court sittings are now held in the Guysborough City Hall and the building is now a museum.
Old Courthouse – Sherbrooke
Location: Main Street / Court Street
Built: 1858
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Alexander McDonald
Contractor: Alexander McDonald
Description: The building faces west and is a two story wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the centre of Sherbrooke. On the front are four columns. The building was restored in 1967 and in 2000 it ceased to be used as a courthouse and now is a museum.
See: The architect Alexander McDonald also designed courthouses in Antgonish County and Richmond County.
Old Courthouse – Guysborough
Old Courthouse – Sherbrooke
Photos taken 2018
Images 24