City and Town Hall (Rochelle, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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City and Town Hall
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| Location | Junction of Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street, Rochelle, Ogle County, Illinois, USA |
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| Area | < 1-acre (4,000 m2) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Bradley and Son, Sam J. Parker John R. Steele (builder) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001006 |
| Added to NRHP | August 18, 1992 |
The City and Town Hall in Rochelle, USA, is a historic building. Today, it serves as the Flagg Township History Museum. It has many displays about local history.
For many years, this building was the main office for the city and township governments. It also held offices for different state and national groups. The building was finished in 1884. Its construction was delayed for 18 years because the city and township disagreed about the cost.
The building has two floors and is built in the Italianate style. This means it has special decorative parts. Outside, there is an 1863 Civil War cannon. The City and Town Hall has been on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1992. A company from Rockford called Bradley and Son designed it. A local city leader also helped with the design. In 1968, the building was almost torn down. But the Flagg Township Historical Society was started, and they saved it.
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A Look Back: The Building's History
The City and Town Hall was built in 1884. But its story began much earlier, in 1866. That year, Flagg Township decided to collect a special tax. This tax was for building a new township office. The city of Rochelle was supposed to help pay for it too.
- Disagreement and Delay: The city and township could not agree on the cost. The city refused to pay its share. This stopped the building project for a long time.
- Land Purchase: In 1869, the township bought more land next to where the building would be.
- Agreement and Construction: Finally, in 1884, the city and township agreed. They hired a local builder, John R. Steele. He built the hall using red bricks from the area. It cost $6,200.
- Center of City Life: The building became the heart of city government in Rochelle. The city council met there. They made important decisions for the city.
Many important decisions were made inside the City and Town Hall. For example, in 1888, they created a fire district. They also discussed rules about local businesses. In 1885, they set up official polling places for elections. In 1893, they planned a new lighting system for Washington Street.
In 1899, local Civil War veterans placed an 1863 Civil War cannon outside the building. It came with 20 cannonballs, but those are gone now. The cannon is still there today.
From 1884 to 1968, both the city and township used the building. The Rochelle City Council met there. The township also had its meeting rooms and offices there. The city clerk's office and the city manager's office were also in the building. There was even a "court room" inside.
In 1968, the Flagg Township Historical Society took over the building. The society's founder, Franklin Kruger, saved the building from being torn down. This led to the historical society being formed. Today, the building is the Flagg Township Museum.
Building Style: Italianate Architecture
The City and Town Hall is built in the Italianate style. This style was popular in the late 1800s. It was designed by Bradley and Son from Rockford, Illinois. A city leader named Sam J. Parker also helped with the design.
- Materials and Shape: The building is a two-story rectangle. It is made of soft, red bricks from the area.
- Decorative Touches: All four sides of the building have decorative metal brackets. These are under the roof's edges. There are also brick decorations with small blocks called dentils. The corners of the building have white brick blocks called quoins.
- Roof: The original roof was metal. Now it has asphalt shingles.
- Windows and Doors: The windows on the first floor have special arched tops. The main front door also has an arched window above it. The building used to have fire station doors. These were replaced over time but later restored.
At the back of the building, there is a smaller, one-story part. This section used to hold the men's jail cells. It still has two cells inside. This smaller part has windows with metal bars. Its windows and doors also have arched brick tops, just like the main building.
- Inside the Building: The first floor originally had space for the police station and fire station. In 1891, a library was also added. There is a strong room, called a vault, in the middle of the first floor. The fire station used to take up the whole east side of the building. The second floor was mostly one large meeting room.
Why This Building is Important
The City and Town Hall is very important because it was a public government building for so long. From 1885 to 1942, it housed many different government offices. These included local, state, and even national groups.
- Many Uses: Besides being the Rochelle City Council chambers, it was also:
* The fire station (1884–1930) * The police station and jail (1884–1931) * Township board and meeting rooms (1884–1968) * The library (1891–1912)
- Other Offices: Many other offices were in the building too. These included the mayor's office, a federal marshal's office, and a driver's license office. It also housed a Social Security office and a Works Progress Administration office.
In 1972, the building was recognized for its importance in two areas: its architecture and its role in education. Its long use as a public building and its current use as a museum show why it is so significant.
Images for kids
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The City and Town Hall in Rochelle, Illinois.
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The 1863 Civil War cannon placed by local Civil War veterans in 1899.
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Close-up of the decorative elements on the building.
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The attached jail building at the rear of the main structure.
