Old City Hall (Richmond, Virginia) facts for kids
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Old City Hall
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1981 HABS photograph
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
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| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | Meyers, Elijah E. |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000327 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Old City Hall in Richmond, Virginia used to be the main building for the city government. It was designed by a famous architect named Elijah E. Myers. This grand building served as Richmond's City Hall from 1894 until the 1970s.
It takes up an entire city block in downtown Richmond. The building is known for its detailed Gothic Revival style. Because of its amazing design, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
Contents
Exploring Old City Hall's Design
The Old City Hall building looks very impressive. It has a tall clock tower that is about 195 feet (59 meters) high. This tower is on the left side of the front of the building.
The building has four main levels, all made from gray granite stone. Inside, there is a large open space called an atrium. This atrium has a skylight, letting in lots of natural light.
Four levels of arched walkways surround the atrium, like a cloister. A grand staircase connects these levels. The building once held many city offices and courts.
Building Materials and Craftsmanship
The gray granite used for the building came from quarries near Petersburg, Virginia. These quarries are located along the James River. Skilled workers shaped the stone under the guidance of James Netherwood.
The iron work inside the building was done by Asa Snyder. All these details show the careful craftsmanship that went into building Old City Hall.
The History of Richmond's City Hall
The spot where Old City Hall stands today has a long history. Before this building, three other important structures were there. These included the first City Hall, built in 1818. It was taken down because it was not safe.
Also removed were the Edmund Randolph House and the First Presbyterian Church. The church was moved in 1873 to make way for the new building.
Building the New City Hall
In 1883, a competition was held to choose a design for the new City Hall. Construction began in 1886. The project cost much more than planned, going from $300,000 to over $1.3 million.
Elijah E. Myers was a well-known architect. He also designed the state capitol buildings for Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, and Texas. The high costs were due to the building's massive size and many decorations.
Saving a Historic Landmark
Around 1915, some people wanted to tear down City Hall. They thought the Beaux-Arts style was more popular then. More threats to demolish the building appeared in the 1970s.
However, the building was saved and restored in the early 1980s. Today, Old City Hall is still used for offices. It is an important part of Richmond's history.
The Old City Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1971.
Images for kids
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1981 HABS photograph
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View of interior atrium
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See also
In Spanish: Old City Hall (Richmond) para niños
