P ROVINCIAL C OURTHOUSE OF
B RITISH C OLUMBIA


This building is one of the oldest court houses in British Columbia and it was the first concrete building in Victoria. The architect was Munich-born Hermann Otto Tiedemann. Opened in 1889, by Lieutenant Governor Hugh Nelson, it contained court rooms, and a visitors' gallery. The judges' chambers included fire proof vaults, fireplaces and robing rooms.

Courthouse
The Law Courts ca. 1890
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Many figures important in the history of British Columbia have worked within the walls of this building, and many of the most famous early criminals appeared for trial here.

The most famous person to have worked here was Chief Justice Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, the person who conveyed the proclamation establishing the Colony of British Columbia, from Great Britain to this area in 1858. On November 19, 1858, as Judge, he swore in James Douglas as the first governor of British Columbia. Since he was subsequently known for firmly imposing the Queen's Law, during that pioneering period, he was known - unjustly - as the "Hanging Judge".
Begbie
Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie
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T HE O PEN- C AGE E LEVATOR


The unique hand-operated elevator was built into the staircase in 1900 by the talented F.M. Rattenbury. The courthouse was designed in 1889 by Otto Tiedeman, and served as such until the late 1950's. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia moved into this building in 1965.

The open-cage elevator was originally installed to assist Chief Justice Davie to the third floor courtroom. Today, almost one hundred years old, it transports people and artifacts regularly under the guidance of licensed operators. Come and take a ride in this elevator to the exhibits on the second floor!

Cage elevator
Ride the elevator, I dare you!
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