Pictou County is named for the word “piktook” meaning an explosion of gas and “bucto” meaning fire which related to the coal fields in the area, or from “Poictou” an old province in France.
Surrounding Courthouses:
N – Northumberland Strait and Prince Edward Island
S – Guysborough County and Halifax County
County Created : 1835
County Seat:
Pictou 1835 – present
Courthouse – Pictou
Location: 69 Water Street / Calach Avenue
Built: 1985 – 1986
Style: Modern
Architect: Archibald & Jones Architects Ltd.
Contractor: Boyd & Garkand Construction Limited
Description: The building faces north and is a two story concrete and glass structure. The building contains three stain glass windows from the second courthouse built in 1856.
History: In 1792 when the county was part of Halifax County, a jail was erected by John Patterson on the lot now occupied by James D B Fraser & Sons. The first courthouse was built in 1813. The county was created in 1835 and Pictou was selected as the county seat. The second courthouse was built in 1856 at the corner of Church Street and Willow Street. The courthouse was destroyed by fire on September 15, 1987. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1985 to 1986.
Courthouse – Pictou
Three windows from 1856 courthouse
Supreme Court Courtroom
Photos taken 2018
Images 9*