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The first court building on this site was built in 1858. Previously courts had operated from the old Courthouse in the Commissioners Camp. This courthouse was similar to the courthouse at Beechworth, with a small front porch, a single side wing (and cell) on the east side, and stucco quoining and mouldings. A smaller police court stood to the west at the same time - this later became incorporated into the School of Mines in 1889. The new courthouse was designed by John Hudson Marsden, Public Works Department architect from 1872 till after 1900. It was completed in 1878-9, to provide services for the Supreme Court and County Court, including sufficient offices and facilities for juries, which were now required in the larger regional centres such as Castlemaine. The front porch and the palisade fence and granite gates were added in 1879. Other alterations including addition of a gallery over the south end of the courtroom, and a jury room and box on the west side, were made 1883-4. The courthouse is still in active use. |