Atlanta City Hall facts for kids

Atlanta City Hall
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Atlanta City Hall, 1981
Location in Downtown Atlanta Show map of Downtown Atlanta Location in Atlanta Show map of Atlanta Location in Georgia (U.S. state) Show map of Georgia (U.S. state) Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	68 Mitchell Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Built	1930
Architect	Preacher, Lloyd G.; National Construction Co.
Architectural style	Late Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	83000227
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 13, 1983

Atlanta City Hall is the main building where the City of Atlanta government works. It was built in 1930. You can find it in Downtown Atlanta. This tall office building looks like many other city halls built in the United States around the same time. It is close to other government buildings, like the Georgia State Capitol and the Fulton County Courthouse. The building has a special style called Neo-Gothic. Many of its cool architectural details have made it a historical landmark. This is Atlanta’s fourth city hall building.

History of Atlanta's City Halls

Atlanta's First City Halls

Atlanta’s first official city hall

For a few years, city leaders met in different places like hotels. Then, in 1853, Atlanta's mayor, John Mims, bought some land. A two-story brick building was built there for the city hall and courts. It opened on October 17, 1854. This building was used for 30 years. During the American Civil War, it was even used by the Union Army. For a short time in 1868, it was also the state capitol of Georgia. The building was taken down in 1885.

In 1882, Atlanta City Hall moved to a different building. This new city hall was four stories tall. It was used as the city hall from 1882 to 1911.

City Hall from 1911 to 1930

Atlanta City Hall 1911–1930

In 1911, the city hall moved again. This time, it moved into a building that used to be a U.S. Post Office and Customs House. Atlanta's mayor, Robert Maddox, bought this large building from the U.S. government for $70,000. This building was very strong. It was used as the city hall for almost 20 years.

The Current Atlanta City Hall Building

The city hall building we see today was finished in February 1930. It was designed by G. Lloyd Preacher. This building stands on a historic spot. During the American Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman used a house on this land as his headquarters. This was after his Atlanta Campaign and before his March to the Sea. The house was one of the few buildings Sherman did not destroy in Atlanta.

The current City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, a new part was added to the building. On October 23, 1989, the building was named a "landmark building exterior."

On the fifth floor of the building, there is a special "Green Roof." It was finished in 2003. This roof has a garden with 2,800 plants from 31 different types.

City Hall East (Former Location)

Between 1990 and 2010, some city services were offered at a building called City Hall East. This building used to be a Sears store. In 2011, the city sold this building. It was later renamed Ponce City Market.

Images for kids

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  Atlanta City Hall seen behind The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1873

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  Atlanta City Hall overlooking trees

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  Front facade of the building

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  Close-up of the front door

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  The Gothic Revival top of the building

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  Street level ornamentation

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  The house previously on the current City Hall site