Ellsworth City Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ellsworth City Hall
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City Hall in 2002
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, Maine |
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| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | Edmund Gilchrist |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000073 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 1986 |
Ellsworth City Hall is an important building in Ellsworth, Maine. It's where the local government makes decisions for the city. This building was constructed between 1934 and 1935. It was needed after a big fire destroyed the old city hall and many other buildings.
The design of Ellsworth City Hall is special. It has a style called Georgian Revival, which was popular in places like Philadelphia. This is unusual for buildings in Maine. A famous architect named Edmund Gilchrist from Philadelphia designed it. In 1986, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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About Ellsworth City Hall
Ellsworth City Hall sits on a small hill. It looks over the main part of the city. The building is made of brick and has two floors. It has a main section with a pointed roof. On each side, there are wings with sloped roofs. The front of the building has a special section that sticks out. It has beautiful carved wood with the city's official seal. A tall, eight-sided tower with a spire rises from the center of the roof.
Why a New City Hall Was Built
On May 7, 1933, a terrible fire hit downtown Ellsworth. The old city hall was destroyed, along with many other businesses. This fire meant the city needed a completely new plan for its main civic area. The plan included building a new City Hall. It also had space for a fire station in the basement. The city also wanted a large parking area where old stores used to be.
Building During Tough Times
Building the new City Hall was a huge project. It involved moving a lot of dirt, which was very expensive. However, this project became a great way to create jobs during a difficult time. The Federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) started in November 1933. This was a government program that helped people find work.
Work on the City Hall continued through the winter. The CWA and the Maine Emergency Relief Administration (MERA) helped. These programs provided jobs for about 65 men for eight months. The project was finished in the fall of 1935. An interesting fact is that the dirt removed from the City Hall site was used to build a nearby high school athletic field. The City Hall was completed with a loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC). This was another government program that helped fund projects.
The Architect's Vision
Edmund Gilchrist, the architect, spent his summers on nearby Mount Desert Island. He was chosen to design the new building. He made sure to use materials that would not catch fire easily. Gilchrist also suggested bigger plans to redesign the entire downtown area after the fire. However, these larger plans were not carried out. The building's design shows Gilchrist's experience with old Georgian buildings in Philadelphia. This is why it looks different from many buildings in rural Maine.
