The former Lincoln County Courthouse is a two-storey, Ontario Georgian style building that was constructed between 1848 and 1849. The building was inspired by European designed and was constructed in two phases. The first phase of the building was to accommodate the offices of town council, a town market, and a fire/police station. The second phase, a northeast wing cut-stone addition to the original structure, was constructed in 1865 to accommodate the relocated County offices and courthouse.

The design of the courthouse was modeled after the town hall in Perugia, Italy by renowned architect Kivas Tully. In addition, the front of the building (facing James and King st.) is made of channelled Queenston ashlars, and the west and north walls are made with course rubble limestone and brick, respectively. At the front of the courthouse, a tower with a three-faced clock is topped by an octagonal cupola.

The clock is believed to be imported from Europe and continues to chime with the assistance of the original weights which extend from the clock tower to the first floor. The entrance to the building is carved in stone and features upright balustrades which conform to the slope of the stairway. The supporting columns under the copings on each side are individually carved to fit its specific location.

Outside the old courthouse, the Oille Fountain is stone-carved in the classical style and was donated by the Mayor of St. Catharines in 1878. The fountain marked the opening of the city's waterworks system and is 8 feet tall and includes two stone fountain bowls on each side with carved lions' heads with water coming from the mouths. Finally, at the top of the fountain, a stone flower urn is designated for geraniums.

The Carousel Players

St. Catharines. (2019, April 18). Designated Heritage Properties. Retrieved from St. Catharines: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/buildin/resources/Selected-Profiles-Designated-Heritage-Properties-revised-April-18-2019.pdf

St. Catharines. (n.d.). Former Lincoln County Courthouse. Retrieved from St. Catharines: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/FormerLincolnCountyCourthouse.asp

Tour St. Catharines. (n.d.). Old Town Walking Tour. Retrieved from Tour St. Catharines: http://www.tourstcatharines.com/tours-oldtown.shtml