History of City Hall

As you enter City Hall from the Lakeside entrance, you notice the grandeur of the Rotunda. The towering columns of Vermont Gray Granite, the skylight dome high above the entrance, the brass railings protecting the balcony, the paintings depicting a small piece of Cleveland's history. The echoing rotunda has been the site of many ceremonies, speeches, and announcements. The history of Cleveland has passed through this spacious arena of Cleveland politics for many generations.

The current City Hall was dedicated in 1916 and received national acclaim in 1982 when it was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as one of the only 49 outstanding City Halls in the United States. The building took five years to complete and became the first piece specifically built for the City and owned by the City. At the time, the population of Cleveland was approximately 700,000 people. J. Milton Dyer was the Cleveland resident that designed the building. As a local architect, he was also responsible for building other Cleveland landmarks such as the Cleveland Athletic Club (1911); the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island (1940); and the First Methodist Church (1905). Mr. Dyer died in Cleveland and is buried in Woodland Cemetery.

The cost of building City Hall was about $3 million. The building has a steel frame and concrete structure with exterior walls of the same Vermont Gray Granite on the columns and inner wall of the rotunda. Upon completion, it was dedicated on July 4, 1916.

The current City Hall is the last of a number of smaller structures that served as the focus of local government. In 1796 the Village of Cleveland, founded by Moses Cleaveland, first held their meetings in the homes of prominent settlers. By 1814, the population of Cleveland was 125 and the first city hall was built by James Walworth between West 6th and West 3rd Street on Superior Avenue. This building remained the City's political center until 1836. By now the population had grown to 6,000 and the City began to rent nine rooms to house the local government. This "rented" government seat cost approximately $1,000,000 and was located in the Jones Building until 1875. The next move was to the Case Block which formed a lease with the City for 25 years at $36,000/yr. The City eventually purchased the property and it was the first time the City owned its own home. At this time, the population had grown to about 100,000. City Hall, in all its glory still stands proud and tall.

If you would like a group tour of City Hall, please call 664-2000 for more information.

If you can't see the button above
please Click Here to download free Flash Reader