| Annapolis County Court House National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Native Name Lang: | fra |
| Address: | 377 Saint George Street |
| Location Town: | Annapolis Royal |
| Location Country: | Canada |
| Coordinates: | 44.7417°N -65.5162°W |
| Years Built: | 1837 |
| Map Type: | Canada Nova Scotia |
| Architectural Style: | Palladian |
| Website: | https://www.courts.ns.ca/locations/digby |
The Annapolis County Courthouse is a courthouse located in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was built in 1837 by Francis LeCain and was enlarged in 1923. The building is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. It is part of the Historic District of Annapolis Royal and is one of the oldest courthouses in Canada still in use.[1]
The Annapolis County Courthouse was built in 1837 by contractor Francis LeCain, who designed it in conjunction with the county grand jury, a common practice in Nova Scotia in the first half of the 19th century. It replaces a wooden courthouse and prison built in 1793 and destroyed by fire in 1836.[2] It was built according to the Palladian style, typical of the courthouses of the British Empire at the time.
It was enlarged in 1923 according to the plans of architect Leslie R. Fairn. It was during this addition that the octagonal dome at the top and the stucco coating of the first floor were added.
The Annapolis County Courthouse is a rectangular building with a symmetrical five-opening facade and a central door. It has a rump roof with an octagonal dome at the top and an imposing portico with columns. The ground floor is covered with rustic stone and the second floor and annex are covered with stucco.
As with many courthouses of this form in Canada, the ground floor serves as a prison, while the second floor serves as a courtroom.