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The Whitby Centennial Building, a significant 125-year old landmark on Centre Street South, has been designated as a heritage building under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Council of the Town of Whitby approved the designation in a by-law dated September 10, 1979, on the advice of the Town's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (L.A.C.A.C.) The Centennial Building is the first structure in Whitby tcbe designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Designation means that the building is protected through provisions in the Act, that any changes that might alter the architectural character of the building must be approved by the Town Council. Also, the Town Council may delay a demolition permit on the building to attempt to reach a compromise for its preservation if demolition is ever consiaered. The Whitby Centennial Building is of major significance from both an architectural ahd a historical point f view. From 1854, to 1964, the building was the Ontario County Court House, the seat of government for Ontario County, and the meeting place of the County Council. It was also the seat nf the judiciary where all court proceedings for the county were held. Ontario County was formed as a provisional county in 1852, having formerly been part of York County. In 1854 it achieved full status as a county after the court house was built. The original court house building consisted f a centre portion, three storeys high, topped with a cupola, and with a one-storey wing to each side. In 1877 an extension was made to the north wing and in 1910 a second storeyx as added to each of the wings as the county offices expanded. The court house was constructed in the Classical Greel Revial style, popular in the 1850's, with Docri columns of Ohi freestone, making the facade of the building similar to the Parthenon in Athens. The architects of the Ontario County Court House wert Frederick Cumberland and William Storm, two of Canada's most noted architects of the period. Their work includes the centre portion of Osgood Hall University College and the Seventh Post Office on Toronte Street, all in Toronto. They also designed court houses at Toronto and Lindsay, and Cumberland and another partner designed Toronto's St. Jame Cathedral. The contractor for the court house was James Wallace, the second mayor of Whitby, a man who played a considerable part in establishing the militia in this town at the time of the Fenian Raids. The corner stone of the Ontario County Court House was laid on June 30, 1853, by the Masons of Toronto and Whitby. This was the first major Masonie ceremony of its kind held in Whitby. Exterior architectural features of the building include the stone work on the facade, the pediment over the Doric Columhns, the window structure and the wooden cupola designed in the lonic style. Interior features include the wood work on the stairs i the former courtroom, the craftmanship of Walter and Major Harper, Whitby carpenters. There are also two cast iron Corinthian columns in the former court room and cast iron window shutters and-doors in the vaults which once held the county records. The County of Ontario moved from the old court house in 1964 and in 1967 the building was reopened as a community centre as the Town of Whitby's Centennial Project. The building is presently used by the Durham Region YMCA, Red Cross Society, Whitby Historical Society Archives, Whitby Theatre Company, and Whitby Senior Citizens Club. It is also the meeting place of the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, and dances and wedding receptions are held in the Regal Room, the former council chambers. The Whitby L.A.C.A.C., which is an advisory committee to Council on buildings of architectural and historical impor- tance, has, since it was inaugurated in April, 1978, made an inventory of heritage buildings in the Town and is planning to recommend further designations of buildings in the coming months.S CINEMA WHITBY 668-3618 CILDREN'S MATINEE This Seturday 1:30 p.m. ALL SEATS $1.0è "The Railway Children" EVENINGS SEPT 20 - 25 ONLY "MORE AMERICAN GRAFITTI" Plus... "FM" COMPLETE FROM 7:00p.m. ADULT ENT. DIAL- N-INSPIRATION Dial .66-1331 and hear a three minute inspirational message by Pastor Emmo Oltmanns of the Emmanuelchurch at 401 Rossland RoadW. in Whitby. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY NOTICE OF PASSING OF BY-LAW TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Whitby has passed By.Law No. 887-79 to designate the following property, including tends and buildings, as a property of architecturai and historical value and interest under Part IV of The Ontario Heritage Act, 1974, S.O., Chapter 122:- Centennial Building, 416 Centre'Street South, Whitby, Ontario Architectural reasons for the designation include the out. standing features of the Greek Revival Style of architec- tural design. Historical reasons for the designation include its service, f rom 1854 to 1964 as the meeting place for Ontario County Council and County Court proceedings and headquarters for County officiais. Dated at the Town of Whitby Municipal Building this loth day of September, 1979. Wm. H. Wallace, Clerk-Administrator. PAGE 22, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 1979. WHITBY FREE PRESS Cent ennial Building now protected