City Hall History

Looking back on City Hall's Milestones:

• August 29, 1891, the Common Council passed a resolution, which called for a design contest for the proposed city hall. The contest drew 11 applicants.
• February 24, 1894, the cornerstone of the building was laid.
• December 23, 1895, City Hall was dedicated.
• December 31, 1896, the bell tower was rang from its pedestal in City Hall for the first time on New Year's Eve, 1896.
• In 1923, the slate roof on the tower was replaced by copper construction at a cost of $14,000.
• October, 1925, the bell tower was silenced by the decree of Mayor Daniel Hoan because the vibration from the ringing of the bell was believed to damage the structure of the tower.
• October 9, 1929, a fire partially destroyed the bell tower. It was repaired from the original blueprints.
• July 4, 1940, the bell tower was rang again for the first time in nearly 15 years on Independence Day, and continues to be rang each year on that day.
• July 17, 1970, City Hall was declared a local landmark by resolution of the Milwaukee Landmarks Commission. It has been also selected by the Historic American Buildings Survey as an "important example of our architectural heritage."
• March 14, 1973, Milwaukee City Hall was placed on the National Register of Historical Places
• Between 1973 and 1974, the exterior restoration work occurred that involved the cleaning and repainting of mortar joints.
• October 1995 City Hall's centennial! As City Hall neared it's 100th birthday, the Common Council decided that the meeting room complex on the 3rd floor needed a complete overhaul.
• On April 5, 2005 the U.S. Secretary of Interiors signed the official documents designating Milwaukee City Hall as a National Historic Landmark.