Now affectionately known as the Old Courthouse, this iconic Kamloops landmark celebrated its centennial in 2009. Unlike its predecessor (Kamloops’ second courthouse, once located where City Hall stands today), this building has endured for over a century thanks to two key factors: it was solidly constructed using durable materials, and it has remained an active part of the city’s civic and cultural life.

After the current (fourth) courthouse was built on Columbia Street, the Old Courthouse sat empty for a few years. But its architectural beauty and historic significance helped spark renewed interest, and it was eventually revitalized as a cultural centre, a role it continues to play today.

The courthouse was designed by architects J.J. Honeyman and G.D. Curtis, and constructed by Broley and Martin of Fernie and Vancouver. Notably, Curtis also served as supervising architect for Victoria’s Empress Hotel, which was built around the same time. The Kamloops courthouse was completed in 1909 and reflects a mix of styles: a revival and adaptation of 13th to 14th-century European architecture, often described as “a freely treated version of the late English domestic gothic with early Renaissance details.” In simpler terms, the building resembles a small medieval castle.

Construction began in early 1908 and was largely finished by the following year, though the first court sessions weren’t held until October 1909. A companion Land Registry building, constructed at the same time and connected by a roofed gallery (or “loggia”), still stands behind the main courthouse.

The materials used were sourced from across North America. Hard-burnt brick was locally supplied by Johnston and Company, who also built the site’s retaining wall in 1910. The trim features limestone, while the basement was built with coarse rubble granite (also called freestone). The black slate roof was imported from Pennsylvania and was fully restored in 2023.

The interior was just as impressive. The original courtroom featured an open-framed timber truss roof with skylights, which lit the room naturally before being replaced during a later renovation with acoustic tile. A large stained glass window on the east wall — still present today — displays the British Columbia Coat of Arms, which was created by Charles Bloomfield of Vancouver Standard Glass Ltd., the same artisan behind the legislative building windows in Victoria.

Other original features include BC fir beams, panelling, and wood joinery throughout the building. The main floor housed the government agent’s office and a large vault, which is still intact today. The basement once held two jail cells, a police room, and a steam heating plant installed by Horatio Shotton and Company.

The courthouse was constructed at a cost of $79,403 and was considered one of the finest public buildings in British Columbia’s interior. Though often referred to as Gothic revival or medieval-inspired, architectural historians sometimes describe the style as Edwardian Baroque, a transitional blend of grandeur and asymmetry that became popular following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901.

More than a courthouse, this building remains a monument to Kamloops’ early growth, its architectural ambition, and its commitment to preserving civic heritage.

More information about this site will be added as research continues. If you have questions, comments, or stories to share, feel free to contact the Kamloops Museum and Archives at [email protected] or call 250-828-3576. Our team will make sure your message gets to the right place.