- Erie County -

Courthouse History and Resources

   By the act of March 11, 1808, erecting the co. of Niagara, Buffalo was named the co. seat, on condition that the Holland Land Company deed to the county not less than half an acre of land for a site for the public buildings, and erect thereon a courthouse and jail. The company complied with these conditions, and erected, in 1810, a wooden courthouse and a stone jail. In the mean time the courts were held at the house of Joseph Langdon. The courthouse was burned by the British in 1813. Soon after the close of the war, a new one was erected on Washington St., fronting La Fayette Park. The first officers of Erie co. were Sam'l Wilkeson, First Judge; John G. Camp, Sheriff; James L. Barton, Co. Clerk; and Roswell Chapin, Surrogate.

   The present courthouse was built in 1850, at a cost of $18,000. The commissioners under whose supervision it was erected were Albert H. Tracy, Ralph Plumb, and Timothy A. Hopkins.

(Source: Gazeteer of the State of New York; J. H. French - 1860)