New York Courts located within the National Register of Historic Places
Throughout the United States there are locations that are worthy of preservation, be it because of their signifigance in history or there unique architecture. These such locations are added to the National Register of Historic Places. In this article, we would like to highlight the historic locations found in New York, but more specifically, locations that are included on the register, but also function as the court house for their respective area. Below is a table of the different court houses in New York, including a photo of the court house, the year it was added to the register, and a small description of how the location came to be on the register.
| Location | Court Name | Image of Courthouse | History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesee County | Alexander Town Court | The Alexander Town Court is a three-story cobblestone building that was erected in the 1830's. It started as a private school and then was later turned into a public school. Ultimately, the building became the Alexander Town Court. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. | |
| Cayuga County | Auburn City Court | The Old Post Office and Courthouse was built between 1888 - 1890 and designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury. The structure would undergo two more design phases in 1913 and 1937. It is a historic and majestic structure that, in 1991, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. | |
| Chemung County | Elmira City Court | The Elmira Civic Historic District is located in downtown Elmira. This area is where many of the government buildings were built in Elmira's early history. One such building is the Chemung County Courthouse Complex. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. | |
| Columbia County | Tracy Memorial Village Hall Complex (Chatham Village Court) | The Tracy Memorial Village Hall Complex at 77 Main Street in Chatham is a 1913 Neoclassical village hall that houses Chatham Village Court. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Reference: NPS; Wikipedia (Columbia County NRHP). | |
| Franklin County | Brighton Town Hall (Brighton Town Court) |
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Brighton Town Hall at 12 County Road 31 in Franklin County is a historic municipal building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The Brighton Town Court page on this site lists the same physical address, tying the court to this historic town hall location. Reference: NPS; Wikipedia (Franklin County NRHP); Brighton Town Court page. |
| Rensselaer County | Hoosick Town Court | The Hoosick Falls Armory was built in 1889 and designed by Isaac G. Perry. At one time, the New York National Guard was based in the armory. Now the armory is home to the Hoosick Armory Youth Center and Community Coalition. The armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. | |
| Suffolk County | Old Field Village Court | Atop the village hall rests the Old Field Point Light, a lighthouse that was built in 1823 and finished in 1824. In 2024, The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. | |
| Wayne County | Palmyra Village Court | The Palmyra Village Historic District is made up of 207 buildings, as well as a few sites and structures. Most of the buuildings were built between 1830 and 1890. The Village Hall of Palmyra is one such building found within the historic district. The district was added to the the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. | |
| Westchester County | Somers Town Court | A man named Hachaliah Bailey bought an African elephant “Old Bet" with the intention to use it for farm work. The elephant attracted curious onlookers which led Bailey to purchase more exotic animals to show off, for a price. After the elephant died in 1827, Bailey built the Elephant Hotel in her honor. The hotel was meant to serve as a memorial to the elephant. According to legend, Old Bet is buried in the front yard. In 2005, the hotel became a National Historic Landmark. Today it serves as the town hall and is the location of the Somers Town Court. | |
| Essex County | Ticonderoga Town Court | The Community Building was built in 1927. It is a two story building, designed with a neo-Georgian style. The building currently serves as the town hall for Ticonderoga. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. | |
| Schoharie County | Wright Town Court | The court is located in the historic Gallupville House. Initially built in 1872 as a hotel, it served several different purposes over the years. It currently serves as a town hall, town court, and for other community purposes. It was added to the register in 1979. | |
| Broome County | Conklin Town Court | Conklin Town Hall, originally built in 1908 as the Alpheus Corby Residence and known as "The Castle," is a historic building in Conklin, Broome County, New York. Distinguished by its three-story square tower, it became the town hall in 1944 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. Reference: Wikipedia (Broome County NRHP). | |
| Livingston County | Conesus Town Court | Conesus Town Hall, originally built as Conesus Amusement Hall in 1888, is a historic building in Conesus, Livingston County, New York. Since the 1980s, it has served as the town's administrative offices and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Reference: Wikipedia (Livingston County NRHP). | |
| Ulster County | Gardiner Town Court | The Gardiner Town Hall occupies the former Gardiner Schoolhouse on US 44/NY 55 in the hamlet of Gardiner, Ulster County, New York. Originally established as a one-room schoolhouse in 1875, the Queen Anne-style building now houses the town government, town court, and a branch office of the New York State Police. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Reference: Wikipedia (Ulster County NRHP). | |
| Chenango County | Smithville Town Court | Smithville Valley Grange No. 1397, also known as the First Universalist Society Church and Smithville Community Center, is a historic Greek Revival building in Smithville Flats, Chenango County, New York. Constructed in 1842 as a church, it was converted into a grange hall in 1921 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Reference: Wikipedia (Chenango County NRHP). |