The Early Years: 1852-1853
Members of the Provisional County Elgin Council wasted no time in electing a Provisional County Warden, Clerk and Treasurer at their first meeting on April 15, 1852 in the St. Thomas town hall (pictured right, ca. 1880). Elisha Ganson from Yarmouth was elected Warden, John McKay as Clerk and William Coyne as Treasurer. Council then proceeded to make a plan to hire an architect and contractor.
The building committee at first included the entire council, but was reduced in May 1852 to Warden Ganson and Messrs. Clark, Munro, Parish and Skinner.
In 1848, local business man Benjamin Drake aided those interested in county independence by selling two acres of land on Wellington Street for five shillings to the Crown, for the purpose 
of a courthouse and gaol. The early sale shows the hope that was held among those in St. Thomas, although the deed was not registered until October 30, 1851.
In May 1852 as plans moved forward for the courthouse and gaol, it was decided Drake’s plot could only be used if water could be found at 15 feet. Tests were conducted and water was found. The site was officially the site of the future courthouse and gaol.
Notable architects William Thomas of Toronto, John Tully of Toronto and John Turner of Brantford submitted drawings. Council minutes from May 20, 1852 indicate that John Tully was awarded the contract by Warden Ganson. On June 3, 1852, a motion was made to rescind the offer to John Tully and an offer was made to John Turner of Brantford. Interestingly enough, features from both Thomas and Tully’s proposals were worked into the plans of the building and they were reimbursed by Council.
On June 19, 1852, Garner Elwood was appointed the building contractor to build the courthouse and gaol for £4,580. Estimated completion dates were September 15, 1852 for the gaol and gaoler's house and August 1, 1853 for the courthouse.
In the midst of all the building plans, Warden Ganson resigned and Thomas Locker became Warden. Warden Locker saw the building project to completion, and remained Warden until 1855.