Aspen City Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Armory Hall, Fraternal Hall
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West elevation and south profile, 2010
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 Location in Colorado
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| Location | Aspen, CO |
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| Area | 9,000 square feet (840 m2) |
| Built | 1892 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000529 |
| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1975 |
Aspen City Hall, once known as Armory Hall or Fraternal Hall, is a historic building in Aspen, United States. It's made of brick and was built in the 1890s. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
This building was first used as a place for the local military group and as a community center. People gathered there for many events. Later, in the mid-1900s, it became the city hall. As Aspen grew into a popular resort town, the building was updated inside. Some city offices even moved to other locations because the building became too small.
What Does the City Hall Building Look Like?
Aspen City Hall is located on the northeast corner of South Galena Street and East Hopkins Avenue. It's across from another historic building, the Hyman–Brand Building. The area around it is busy, with many shops and businesses. Most buildings nearby are made of brick, just like City Hall.
The building has two and a half stories. It's about 91 feet long and 66 feet wide. It's made of red brick laid in a pattern called "common bond." The walls are very thick, about 14 inches, and are built on a strong stone base. The roof is a special type called a gambrel roof, which has two different slopes on each side. It's covered with shingles.
On the front of the building, you'll see windows on the first floor. The main entrance is in the middle. The upper windows have a slight arch at the top. Brick columns, called pilasters, go up the sides of the building. At the top, there are decorative brick supports, called corbels, that hold up a cornice (a decorative molding). The inside of the building has been changed a lot over the years to make it more modern.
A Look Back: The History of Aspen City Hall
The building was constructed quickly in 1892, taking only three months to build. It cost $15,000, which was a lot of money back then! This was near the end of the Colorado Silver Boom, when Aspen was a fast-growing mining town.
It was built to be a place for the local military to gather. It was also a community meeting spot. That's why it was first called Armory Hall and Fraternal Hall.
After the silver boom ended, Aspen's population got smaller. But the building stayed important. It was used for many community events like dances, concerts, and even a roller skating rink! Because it was so useful, it wasn't torn down like many other buildings from that time.
In 1956, it officially became Aspen's city hall. It has been serving that purpose ever since. In the early 1990s, the inside of the building was updated. This was because Aspen had grown again, becoming a popular ski resort. The city needed more space for its offices.
Later, the city received money to fix the roof and brickwork. In 2008, over half a million dollars were spent to remodel the inside again. They added new electronics and furniture in the council chambers. They also updated the offices for several city departments.
