Court House, Ward Street

Completed: 29 November 1908, dedicated 05 May 1909

Style: Combination Richardsonian Romanesque and Chateau Styles*

Architects: Francis Rattenbury and Alexander Carrie


"Oye, Oye. All those having business before the Supreme Court of British Columbia please come forward. God Save the Queen.”

This age old salutation, only recently discontinued, invited all the citizenry to cross her threshold not only in search of justice, but licensing, taxation and even veterinary services to name but a few. For over a century the Courts and Government offices contained herein have served the citizens of Nelson and the West Kootenay well.

This building was designed by Francis Rattenbury (left) in 1903. Local Architect, Alexander Carrie, was appointed by Mr. Rattenbury as his Clerk of the Works (on site Architect) in 1906. As well that year, John Kirkpatrick was appointed Clerk of the Works (retail) by the Provincial Government; and, local Contractor, W. G. Gillett, was awarded the construction contract.

The building was completed on 29 November 1908 (The Daily News, 29 November 1908); with, the first Court sitting, the postponed Fall Assize, commencing on 11 February 1909. This was followed by the opening of the County Court on 01 March 1909; and, the formal dedication of the building with the opening of the Spring Assize on 05 May 1909.

The Sheriff of the Kootenays was one Samuel Parker Tuck. He not only had the distinction of being the first Sheriff in the new facility, but was the first to call it home. Mr. Rattenbury had designed a caretaker’s apartment in the basement in which Sheriff Tuck resided. Sheriff Tuck died in service, in Kootenay Lake General Hospital, on 13 September 1916 at the age of 80 years. As Sheriff Tuck was not ready to retire it just may be that those footsteps heard so often are his as he makes his daily rounds!

On 04 February 1962 the Courthouse was fire bombed by the radical Sect, the Sons of Freedom. If it was not for the fast thinking of local taxi driver David “Buster” Wiggs the building would have been reduced to rubble. Five bombs were placed in the building with one having detonated charring the front doors and foyer. Mr. Wiggs extinguished two bombs with his bare hands and threw the third out of the building where it exploded on impact. He only suffered minor burns to his hands.

If the walls could talk what tales would they tell? Let your imagination run, this building has seen it all.

The Court House was part of the 2009 Heritage Home Tour.

*The architecture has been inaccurately described in the newest Nelson Walking Tour brochure and other, recent, publications.

The photograph of the Court House is courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives, http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/ ; the photograph of Francis M. Rattenbury is courtesy of the open source at http://www.wikipedia.org/ ; Alexander Carrie appointment, The Canadian, 15 November 1906; Sheriff Tuck Obituary, The Daily News, Nelson, B.C. 14 September 1916.