Guysborough County is named for Guy Carleton, who was the 1st Baron Dorchester and the Governor of the Province of Quebec and Governor General of British North America.
County Created : 1836
County Seat:
Guysborough 1836 – present
Old Courthouse – Guysborough
Location: 106 Church Street / Queen Street
Built: 1842 – 1843
Style: British Bulldog / Gothic Wood Frame
Architect: Elisha Randall
Contractor: Elisha Randall
Description: The building faces northeast and is a two story white coloured wood frame structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the town centre. The architectural style of the building is typical of early court houses. The building has several unique features including a projecting enclosed porch with a gable roof at the main entrance, and attractive windows arranged symmetrically around the building with their tracery pattern culminating in an unusual pointed arch. The roof is hipped and has cedar skakes. On the southwest side is a one story extension. The interior has a large courtroom on the southeast side with a second story balcony and rooms on the northwest side.
Note: The courthouse is the third courthouse to serve the old Sydney County from 1785 to 1836 and Guysborough County created in 1836. The old Jail and Registry Office built in 1843 along the southeast side of the courthouse, were removed in 1975.
Old Courthouse – Sherbrooke
Location: Main Street / Court Street
Built: 1841 – 1842
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Alexander McDonald
Contractor: Alexander McDonald
Description: The building faces west and is a two story wood frame structure. The building has four columns.
See: The architect Alexander McDonald also designed courthouses in Antgonish County and Richmond County.
Courthouses:
N – Inverness County and Richmond County
E – Atlantic Ocean
S – Halifax County
W – Pictou County and Antigonish County
Old Courthouse – Guysborough
Old Courthouse – Sherbrooke
Photos taken 2018