L'Orignal celebrates bicentenary of historic jail, courthouse

The Franco-Ontarian community of L'Orignal, Ont., celebrated the bicentenary of its courthouse and old jail Friday, with a ceremony to illuminate the historic building at night.

The building first opened in 1825, the year before Bytown — the settlement that eventually became Ottawa — was founded, making it the oldest building in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

It is also the oldest jail and courthouse in Ontario, according to Louise Bédard, the president of L'Orignal Old Jail. 

"The courthouse is certainly the oldest still functional. And let me tell you that it is fully, fully functional," she told CBC.

"Just the docket for next summer, it's full," she told CBC. 

Site of executions

At least five criminals were executed by hanging at the jail, the first in 1883 and the last in 1933, according to the L'Orignal Old Jail website.

While the courthouse remains operational, the jail — which was the only Francophone correctional facility in Ontario — closed in 1998.

It has since reopened as a museum, with the interior remaining as it was when the last prisoner departed. 

"The beds are still there, the bars, the heavy metal doors. When you close those doors, it's a bang every time," said Bédard.

Landmark building

Built in a Neo-Loyalist style with a distinctive orange roof with a cupola, the historic building is a landmark in the village of 1,500, which is now part of Champlain Township.

 L'Orignal — which means moose in French — is located on the Ottawa River 90 kilometres east of the capital. 

The village was already well-established when the jail was constructed, as it was once one of two seigneuries the King of France granted in present-day Ontario.

Following the creation of Upper Canada, L'Orignal was chosen as the district town for Ottawa District, with its location on the Ottawa River transport route being a key factor, Bédard said. 

"It was the logical place to have a jail because as the immigrants were coming down the river,"she said. "This was the first government place they would see and they would know that everything was organized."

The museum will reopen for the season after May 1, Bédard said, offering tours in French and English.