Where did the US Supreme Court meet in 1936?

Answer 1

The US Supreme Court met in the Supreme Court Building on First Street in Washington, DC. Former President and Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft was instrumental in convincing Congress to allocate funds for construction, which began in 1932 and concluded in 1935.

The Court began its first Term in the Supreme Court Building (it has no other name) on October 7, 1935. 2010 marks the 75th consecutive year the justices have met in their own building.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

The US Supreme Court met in the Capitol Building, in Washington, DC, where held court before being displace by a fire in 1814.

1. Old Supreme Court Chamber, reconstructed, original location (1819-1860)
   
   
2. Old Senate Chamber, first floor of Capitol Building, North Wing, Washington, (1860-1935)
   

Answer 3

The US Supreme Court first met at the Royal Exchange Building (sometimes called the Merchant's Exchange) on the corner of Broad and Water Streets in New York City, the nation's first capital, on February 2, 1790.

More Information

The US Constitution, adopted on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the states on June 21, 1788, established a framework for the institution and construction of the United States government.

Congress established the US Supreme Court and a small federal court system when they enacted the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Act called for a total of six members, a Chief Justice and five Associate Justices, who were officially headquartered in the nation's capitol.

The first Court was supposed to assemble at the at the Royal Exchange Building on the corner of Broad and Water Streets in New York City (the temporary U.S. Capital from 1783-1790) on February 1, 1790, but transportation problems delayed the initial meeting by one day, so the first session actually began on February 2, 1790.

Not all of the justices were in attendance. Although John Rutledge had been commissioned as a Supreme Court Justice and had taken the Oath of Office, he never officially participated on the Court. Robert H. Harrison was appointed to the Court, but declined his commission on the grounds that circuit riding was too arduous. James Iredell, who replaced Harrison, was not confirmed until February 10, and wasn't at the first meeting of the court. The four justices who met during the first Term were:

1. Chief Justice John Jay
2. Justice William Cushing
3. Justice John Blair
4. Justice James Wilson

The original Court was unremarkable; they didn't hear their first case until August 1791, and spent the intervening eighteen months discussing policy and procedure.

For more information on Supreme Court meeting places, see Related Questions, below.