Platial | Who and What's Nearby
Platial | Who and What's Nearby
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Williamston's City Hall, was built in 1890 by the Village of WIlliamston and Williamstown Township as a meeting hall and polling place to comply with the then new Federal Voting Act which required secret ballots. The building was completed, and the first public meeting (A joint village/township meeting) was held on November 3, 1890.
Early histories claimed it was built as a GAR Hall, but that is incorrect, although it did serve that function later. It has also served as the town fire hall, and police station at various times, and was built with both in mind, including two iron cells to hold prisoners which were only recently removed (to make room for a handicap accessible restroom). The photos show the structure as it looked circa 1918, and today (2006).
The structure was built by Hiram Higbee, a local builder of note in the late 1800s, and at that time, in addition to the Village and Township hall, it was designed to house the horses and fire engines used by the fire department. (The current City Manager's office was the horse stable!) The building suffered as most buildings through 'remuddling' in the 1960s and 1970s, however, it was sensitivily (if not perfectly) restored in the 1980s.
It is still in use today as the City Hall, although it is 'bursting at the seams' as the City has grown.
The "pocket park" out front (which was part of the original design) holds a time capsule buried in 2003 which includes items such as a commemorative dish from the community's centennial in 1971, a 2003 edition of the Williamston Enterprise newspaper and the like.
Got a question or comment? Want more information? Contact manager@williamston-mi.us
Williamston's City Hall, was built in 1890 by the Village of WIlliamston and Williamstown Township as a meeting hall and polling place to comply with the then new Federal Voting Act which required secret ballots. The building was completed, and the first public meeting (A joint village/township meeting) was held on November 3, 1890.
Early histories claimed it was built as a GAR Hall, but that is incorrect, although it did serve that function later. It has also served as the town fire hall, and police station at various times, and was built with both in mind, including two iron cells to hold prisoners which were only recently removed (to make room for a handicap accessible restroom). The photos show the structure as it looked circa 1918, and today (2006).
The structure was built by Hiram Higbee, a local builder of note in the late 1800s, and at that time, in addition to the Village and Township hall, it was designed to house the horses and fire engines used by the fire department. (The current City Manager's office was the horse stable!) The building suffered as most buildings through 'remuddling' in the 1960s and 1970s, however, it was sensitivily (if not perfectly) restored in the 1980s.
It is still in use today as the City Hall, although it is 'bursting at the seams' as the City has grown.
The "pocket park" out front (which was part of the original design) holds a time capsule buried in 2003 which includes items such as a commemorative dish from the community's centennial in 1971, a 2003 edition of the Williamston Enterprise newspaper and the like.
Got a question or comment? Want more information? Contact manager@williamston-mi.us
Photos:
Tags:
history , city hall , local government offices , town hall , city of williamston , time capsule , historic architecture
history , city hall , local government offices , town hall , city of williamston , time capsule , historic architecture
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