Ontario County is named for an Iroquoian word meaning “beautiful lake”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Monroe County and Wayne County
E – Seneca County and Yates County
S – Yates County and Steuben County
Created: January 27, 1789 
County Seat:
Canandaigua 1789 – present
County Courthouse – Canandaigua
Location: 27 North Main Street / Ontario Street
Built: 1857 – 1858
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Henry Searl of Rochester
Contractor: Thomas Crawford of Geneva and Kelsey and Wells of Canandaigua
Description: The building faces southwest and is a two story buff colored brick and concrete style structure. The southwest front has a large portico supported by four high white colored columns with pediment at the roof line. On the center of the roof is a large dome with small cupola and gold colored statue of the Goddess of Justice at the top. The two wings were added in 1908 and 1909.The building was renovated in 1988. The architect was Mendel, Mesick, Cohen, Waite & Hall of Albany and the contractor was Frank J Marinucci of Holcomb.
See: The architect, Henry Searl of Rochester also designed the courthouse in Wayne County.
Note: The cost of construction was $46,000.
Old County Courthouse – Canandaigua
Location: 2 North Main Street / West Avenue
Built: 1824 – 1825
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces northeast and is a two story yellow colored brick structure. The northeast front has a large portico supported by six white colored columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. Above is a square open cupola with green colored dome. The roof is hipped. The building served as the county courthouse until 1858 and now serves as the City Hall.
See: The 7th Judicial District includes Cayuga County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Wayne County and Yates County.
History: The previous courthouse was built in 1794.
County Courthouse - Canandaigua
Photos taken 2010