Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Police Court (223 James Avenue, Winnipeg)

Built in 1883 at the corner of James Avenue and King Street, on a design by the architects Barber and Barber, this two-storey brick building contained 18 jail cells adjacent to a large courtroom on the main floor, with offices for court officials on the second floor, and a full attic used as a dormitory for police officers. Renovations in 1893 were overseen by Charles Burgess. In 1908, when a new police station opened on Rupert Street, this building was renovated into municipal offices on a design by architect John D. Atchison.

Designated as a municipal historic site in December 1983, it was de-designated in August 1986.

Winnipeg Police Court

Winnipeg Police Court (1886)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg Police Department 11, N11699.

Winnipeg Police Court

Police Court (circa 1903)
Source: An Illustrated Souvenir of Winnipeg by W. A. Martel & Sons.

The former Winnipeg Police Court building

The former Winnipeg Police Court building (June 2014)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

The former Winnipeg Police Court building

The former Winnipeg Police Court building (January 2020)
Source: George Penner

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90059, W97.13887
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Some Old Winnipeg Buildings by Randy Rostecki
MHS Transactions, Series 3, Number 29, 1972-1973 Season

Sources:

“Winnipeg’s big building development during 1908,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 December 1908, page 31.

We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 16 February 2024

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

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