Old City Hall (Guelph)

Not to be confused with Guelph City Hall.

Old City Hall is a historic building and a National Historic Site of Canada in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, which until April 2009 served as the headquarters of the city government. The building is now used as the Provincial Offences Courthouse, which handles matters such as traffic tickets, trespassing and liquor license violations.

History

The hall was designed in the Renaissance Revival style by Toronto architect William Thomas, and constructed 1856-1857. The building, which included an indoor market area, administrative offices, and a large assembly hall, was constructed from locally quarried stone.

In 1984, it was designated a National Historic Site because

[I]t is an example of a multi-functional city hall; it symbolized the city's confidence in its future; and the smoothly dressed stonework and delicate carving of the exterior design provide an elegant and refined example of civic architecture in a classical style.

The building is also designated under Part 4 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

External links

• City of Guelph: Court Renovation and Restoration Project
• Guelph City Hall on the Canadian Register of Historic Places: National Historic Site of Canada, Ontario Heritage Act.