Belize Supreme Courthouse – Belize City, Belize
This is the Belize Supreme Court building, located in the center of Belize City. The building you see today is not the original building that sat on that location. The first courthouse building was built in 1818, but it wasn’t until 1820 that the first sitting of the Supreme Court was held. By 1880, a new wooden building was erected on the same location to replace the original courthouse that lacked architectural details and interest.
The building was destroyed by fire in August 17, 1918, harming the Governor at the time, Hart Bennett. A flagpole that was on fire fatally injured him while he was helping to put out the fire. He died a few days later.
The current building, completed in 1926, was constructed with reinforced concrete but designed to look architecturally like the previous wooden courthouse. This building was also used as the headquarters for Belize’s colonial administrators.
Some of the architectural details of the building include a tower with 4 clocks facing each of the cardinal points, as well as an entry through an intricate ironwork stairway that leads to the second floor veranda.
The Supreme Court of Belize still holds several annual sessions on the second floor while the first floor houses a daily magistrate’s court.
The interiors spaces of the court are not open to the general public, but the exterior of the building does make a good sight in Belize City as it is one of the best examples of British colonial architecture in Belize.
The ‘new’ building looks beautiful too, though am very keen to see the original built 1818!
I too wonder how the first building looked. I tried googling it but couldn’t find any pics.
That’s so unique and what a history!
Interesting history indeed!
Such a simple and clean design. I love the clock tower. Interesting history about the fire and the governor.
Yes, simple and clean. I’ve come to find that British colonial architecture in Belize has a clean and fresh design that is very pleasing.