Placentia was named after an old Basque villa called “Placencia de las Armas” which was located in the Gipuzkoa province of the Basque Country. Or from the Latin “placentia”, a name probably given by the Basque fishermen.
Location: Placentia located in the eastern part of Newfoundland Island along the Avalon Peninsula.
Judicial District: St. John’s Judicial District
Courthouse – Placentia
Location: 1 Prince William Drive / Jubilee Road
Built: 1902
Style: Second Empire
Architect: William Henry Churchill, Superintendent of Public Works
Contractor: Local labour
Description: The building faces east and is a three story white coloured wood frame structure. The east front has a projecting square tower with large clock at the top. There is a central entrance along the front. The roof is mansard with four dormer windows. In 1955 the tower roof was removed. The courtroom is located on the south side of the second story The building houses the Provincial Court.
Note: The previous courthouse was built in 1774
See: The courthouse is similar to the courthouse in Bonavista, Greenspond, Saint George’s and Trinity.
Courthouse
Photos taken 2019