May 1, 2014 - Justice Center (New Courthouse)

The San Bernardino Justice Center (new Courthouse) is located on the SE corner of Third St. & Arrowhead Ave. (Photo courtesy of Steve Shaw)

 Previous San Bernardino Courthouses:

*  1854 - 1858  SE Third St. and Arrowhead Ave., in the Mormon Council House (an adobe building)

*  1874 - 1923  Court Street, between D and E Streets

*  1898 - 1928  SE corner of Court and E Streets

*  1926 - 9999  351 North Arrowhead Avenue (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)  

The new San Bernardino Courthouse (Justice Center), 247 West Third Street:

*  The $340 million facility consists of two elements:

-  A three-story section for public access to the clerk's offices, jury assembly, and support spaces

-  An 11-story, 200 foot-tall tower for the courtrooms and judicial offices

*  Contains 361,700 square feet and sits on a seven acre site, formerly occupied by Caltrans

*  Features 35 courtrooms, 36 Judges' chambers and two hearing rooms

*  Serves the criminal, traffic, family law, probate and dependency divisions of the Superior Court

*  Contains space for administration, self-help, jury services and sheriff's operations and holding

Dedication ceremonies took place on Thursday, May 1, 2014, featuring California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Presiding Judge Marsha Slough and about 200 dignitaries.  It opened for business on May 12, 2014.

The 1926 courthouse was retrofitted for earthquake-safety and the original arched ceiling and wooden-beamed courtrooms were restored.  Its 11 courtrooms will be used for family law and probate cases.