Old City Hall (Mobile, Alabama) facts for kids
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Old City Hall
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The building in 2008.
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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 |
The Old City Hall, also known as the Southern Market, is a group of historic buildings in Mobile, Alabama. Today, it is home to the History Museum of Mobile. This large building was constructed between 1855 and 1857. It was designed to be both the city's main office building and a busy marketplace. In 1973, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. It is special because it's a rare example of a 19th-century building used for many different city and business purposes.
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History of the Building
The city of Mobile first planned this building in 1854. They wanted it to be the main city market for selling fresh vegetables, meat, and fish. In February 1855, city leaders decided that the building would also hold some of the city government offices. On June 1, 1855, they approved $44,000 to pay for its construction.
The first architect for the building was Thomas Simmons James. He was from Virginia but worked in Mobile. While the new building was being built, the old city hall burned down in December 1855. Because of this, in May 1856, the city approved another $40,000. This money was used to finish and expand the building. It would now have space for the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and two city boards. Records show the building was finished by April 20, 1857.
Changes Over Time
In 1910, the building was changed by architect William L. Denham. A new meeting room for the city council was added. This room was built above a new bridge that connected the front and back parts of the building. The open walkway between the two main sections was closed in to create an entrance lobby. The main staircase was also moved to the east wall of this new lobby.
The building was changed again in the mid-1930s by architect Frederick W. Clarke. Most of this work involved filling in some of the open areas to create new indoor rooms. During this time, artist John Walker painted murals inside. These murals showed important scenes from Mobile's history.
In 1979, Hurricane Frederic caused damage to the building. The people working there had to leave. Later, the building was carefully fixed and restored.
What the Building Looks Like
The Old City Hall is built in the Italianate style. This means it looks like buildings from 19th-century Italy. It has four rectangular parts connected by three walkways with arches. The building is about 244 feet (74 meters) wide on Royal Street. It is about 275 feet (84 meters) long on Church Street. The back of the building is about 213 feet (65 meters) wide on Water Street. The building is made of brick covered with a special plaster called stucco. It also has wooden decorations and supports called brackets.
The two main parts of the building form a U-shape. They face Royal Street and stretch all the way to Water Street. These central parts are two stories tall on Royal Street and one story tall on Water Street. A small, eight-sided dome-like tower called a cupola sits on top of the central section.
The two side parts, called annex wings, are also two stories tall. However, they are not as tall as the central sections. The south wing is about 30 feet (9 meters) wide and 275 feet (84 meters) long. It faces Church Street. The first floor of this wing used to have small shops and stalls for the market. Now, this space has been closed in. The north wing is also about 30 feet (9 meters) wide but is much shorter. Its north wall is connected to the Gulf Coast Exploreum, another building nearby.
The History Museum of Mobile
Starting in 1997, the Old City Hall building was fixed up and updated to become the History Museum of Mobile. In 2000, a new section was added to the back of the building. This addition holds the museum's main exhibits and offices for the staff. In 2005, the museum had to close for about six months. This was because of flood damage from Hurricane Katrina, which needed repairs.
The museum's exhibits are spread across two large floors of the building. They tell the story of Mobile's history over 300 years. The museum often has a special exhibit that lasts for about six months. It also has other collections that change regularly. Some of the permanent exhibits include:
- Old Ways New Days: This exhibit explores Mobile's history from when it was first settled until today.
- Walls and Halls: This exhibit features old furniture, antique silver, artwork, and other historical items.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the cupola on the roof.
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A photo of the building taken in 1906.
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A photo taken in 1934 by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).
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One of two old lion statues at the entrance to the museum exhibits.
See also
