Norfolk County is named for Norfolk County in England.
Created: July 16, 1792
County Seat:
Simcoe 1792 – present
Old County Courthouse – Simcoe
Location: 50 Colborne Street South / Court Street
Built: 1860 – 1863
Style: Italianate
Architect: John Turner of Brantford
Contractor: Jackson Brothers of Simcoe.
Description: The building faces east and is a two story structure.
Built in 1863, the building is a two story stone and brick Italianate style structure. The building faces east and was completed in 1864. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds of Governor Square. The building has tall round-headed windows, corner tower and accentuated masonry. The southeast tower rises three stories with mansard roof and dormers at the top. The east front has a central entrance framed with ornamental stone. The second story has large arched windows. The roof is hipped. On the north side and recessed is the red coloured brick Registry Office constructed by Jackson Brothers of Simcoe, The Norfolk County Administration occupies the courthouse and the Public Library occupies the Registry.
Note: The first courthouse was built on this site by 1842, and the gaol, designed by the prominent Toronto architect William Thomas, was constructed in 1848. Following a fire in 1863 which destroyed the courthouse, the present structure was completed. Architecturally the courthouse, gaol, and registry offices constitute an almost unrivalled grouping of public buildings in Ontario.
Courthouse – Simcoe
Location: 530 Queensway West / Cedar Street
Built: 1973 – 1974
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a three story red coloured brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds. The north front has a recessed centre section with entrance on the first story. The windows are horizontal. On the west side the building is recessed and with a glass panel entrance with sloped roof. The roof line is flat. The building houses the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice ( Criminal & Family ).
Courthouses:
N – Oxford County and Brant County and Hamilton-Wentworth Region
E – Haldimand County
S – Lake Erie and Ohio
W – Elgin County
Photos taken 2014