The House of Keys (Douglas)

Description: The House of Keys is in central Douglas on the east side of the Isle of Man (NGR 23804 47561). Brown's Guide to the Isle of Man of 1894 says, "In 1879, these premises were bought by the Insular Government, and altered to meet the requirements of the executive departments, and of the legislature. The sessions of the Council and the Keys, when sitting as separate branches of the legislature, are held in these buildings; but, when sitting together, as the Tynwald Court, they are still held in the Douglas Courthouse. This latter building, however, is not suitable for this purpose; and more convenient and better arranged buildings are now in course of erection upon a site adjoining the Government Building." The premises were originally the head office of the Bank of Mona. Brown's Popular Guide to the Isle of Man of 1927 says, "The roadway up Prospect Hill has been greatly widened and otherwise improved, at a cost of about £20,000, in order to accommodate the tramway; and, as it now appears, it is one of the finest thoroghfares in the town. The view of the road, with the Government Buildings, the Tynwald Court Court Chambers, and the new House of Keys' Building at its upper bend, is specially fine." (p.75)

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