Old City Hall (Mobile, Alabama) facts for kids
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Old City Hall
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Old City Hall in 2008. It is now a museum.
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 Location in Mobile, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 111 South Royal Street, Mobile, Alabama, United States |
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| Built | 1855-57 |
| Architect | Thomas S. James William L. Denham Frederick W. Clarke |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000034 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 3, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
Old City Hall is a famous historic building in Mobile, Alabama. It was also known as the Southern Market. Today, this beautiful building is home to the History Museum of Mobile.
The building was constructed between 1855 and 1857. It was designed to be both a city hall for the local government and a marketplace for the public. In 1973, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This is a special honor for buildings that are important to American history. It is a rare example of a 19th-century building that served both government and business needs.
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Why Was Old City Hall Built?
In 1854, the city of Mobile planned to build a new marketplace. This market would be a place for people to buy and sell fresh food like vegetables, meat, and fish. But in 1855, the city decided the building should also hold government offices.
Construction began, but a fire on December 27, 1855, destroyed the old city hall. This meant the new building became even more important. The city government needed a new home. So, more money was approved to expand the building. It was designed to have offices for the mayor, city clerk, and other officials. The building was finished by April 1857.
Changes and Restoration Over the Years
The building has been changed several times. In 1910, an architect named William L. Denham added a new room for the city council. He also enclosed an open walkway to create an entrance lobby.
In the 1930s, more changes were made. Some open areas were turned into indoor rooms. Artist John Walker painted large murals on the walls. These paintings show important moments from Mobile's history.
Sadly, the building was damaged by Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The people working there had to leave. It was later carefully restored to its former beauty.
What Does the Building Look Like?
Old City Hall was built in the Italianate style. This style was popular in the 1800s and was inspired by Italian villas. The building is made of brick covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster. It has decorative wooden trim.
The building is actually a large complex made of four main parts. These parts are connected by covered walkways with arches, called arcades. The front of the building on Royal Street is two stories high. The back of the building on Water Street is one story high. A beautiful eight-sided tower, called a cupola, sits on top of the central part of the building.
The south wing was once an open-air market with stalls for vendors. This area has since been enclosed. The north wing is attached to the Gulf Coast Exploreum science center.
The History Museum of Mobile
In 1997, work began to turn Old City Hall into the History Museum of Mobile. A new section was added in 2000 for the museum's main exhibits and offices. The museum tells the story of Mobile's 300-year history.
In 2005, the museum had to close for six months for repairs. This was because of flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Today, the museum's exhibits are spread across two large floors. There are several permanent exhibits, including:
- Old Ways New Days: This exhibit explores the history of Mobile, from its early days as a colony to the present.
- Walls and Halls: This exhibit shows off beautiful old furniture, silver, and art from Mobile's past.
The museum also features special exhibits that change every few months. This means there is always something new to see.
Images for kids
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Detail of the cupola.
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Photo taken in 1906.
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HABS photo taken in 1934.
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One of a pair of antique statuary lions at the entrance to the exhibits.
See also
