1941 Bessemer City Hall: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Bessemer City Hall.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Bessemer City Hall in February 2010]]
[[Image:Bessemer City Hall.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Bessemer City Hall in February 2010]]
'''Bessemer City Hall''', located at 1800 [[3rd Avenue North Bessemer|3rd Avenue North]], is the seat of government for the City of [[Bessemer]]. It was constructed in [[1938]] by the [[Works Progress Administration]] on the site of an [[Old Bessemer City Hall|older city hall and fire station]].
[[Image:Bessemer City Hall postcard.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Bessemer City Hall, c. 1945]]
'''Bessemer City Hall''', located at 1800 [[3rd Avenue North Bessemer|3rd Avenue North]], is the seat of government for the City of [[Bessemer]]. It was constructed between [[1938]] and [[1941]] by the [[Works Progress Administration]] on the site of the former [[1890 Bessemer City Hall]], which was destroyed by fire.


The Art Deco-style building is clad in brick with limestone trim. The building features a clock tower at the corner of [[18th Street North Bessemer|18th Street]], and a flagpole over the entrance on 3rd Avenue.
The Art Deco-style building is clad in brick with limestone trim. The building features a tower at the corner of [[18th Street North Bessemer|18th Street]] where the old City Hall clock was re-installed, and a flagpole over the entrance on 3rd Avenue. The structure includes a '''Bessemer City Auditorium''' and spaces designed for retail tenants at street level. Brown fabric awnings were installed later over the entrances to the auditorium and lobby.


The building was slightly damaged by a [[1979 Bessemer City Hall letter bomb|package bomb]] which exploded in the office of Public Safety Commissioner [[Max Williams]] on [[May 2]], [[1979]].
The building suffered minor damage from a [[1979 Bessemer City Hall letter bomb|package bomb]] which exploded in the office of Public Safety Commissioner [[Max Williams]] on [[May 2]], [[1979]].


In [[2012]] the [[Bessemer City Council]] began evaluating the [[Zeigler building]] and the former [[1st Presbyterian Church Bessemer]] as possibilities for relocating city hall, which was described as being "in deplorable state."
In [[2012]] the [[Bessemer City Council]] began evaluating the [[Zeigler building]] and the former [[1st Presbyterian Church Bessemer]] as possibilities for relocating city hall, which was described as being "in deplorable state."
Line 10: Line 11:
==References==
==References==
* Guge, Brett & Danny Ausbun (May 2, 1979) "Bomb in mail rocks Bessemer City Hall; lieutenant killed, two city officials hurt." {{BN}}
* Guge, Brett & Danny Ausbun (May 2, 1979) "Bomb in mail rocks Bessemer City Hall; lieutenant killed, two city officials hurt." {{BN}}
* Burnett, Jason (February 4, 2007) "[http://downtownbessemer.blogspot.com/2007/02/25-bessemer-city-hall.html Bessemer City Hall]" Historic Downtown Bessemer
* Norris, Toraine (May 15, 2012) "Bessemer council authorizes mayor to explore purchasing church for new city hall." {{BN}}
* Norris, Toraine (May 15, 2012) "Bessemer council authorizes mayor to explore purchasing church for new city hall." {{BN}}


Line 16: Line 18:
[[Category:3rd Avenue North Bessemer]]
[[Category:3rd Avenue North Bessemer]]
[[Category:18th Street Bessemer]]
[[Category:18th Street Bessemer]]
[[Category:1938 buildings]]
[[Category:1941 buildings]]

Revision as of 17:39, 15 May 2012

Bessemer City Hall in February 2010
Bessemer City Hall, c. 1945

Bessemer City Hall, located at 1800 3rd Avenue North, is the seat of government for the City of Bessemer. It was constructed between 1938 and 1941 by the Works Progress Administration on the site of the former 1890 Bessemer City Hall, which was destroyed by fire.

The Art Deco-style building is clad in brick with limestone trim. The building features a tower at the corner of 18th Street where the old City Hall clock was re-installed, and a flagpole over the entrance on 3rd Avenue. The structure includes a Bessemer City Auditorium and spaces designed for retail tenants at street level. Brown fabric awnings were installed later over the entrances to the auditorium and lobby.

The building suffered minor damage from a package bomb which exploded in the office of Public Safety Commissioner Max Williams on May 2, 1979.

In 2012 the Bessemer City Council began evaluating the Zeigler building and the former 1st Presbyterian Church Bessemer as possibilities for relocating city hall, which was described as being "in deplorable state."

References

  • Guge, Brett & Danny Ausbun (May 2, 1979) "Bomb in mail rocks Bessemer City Hall; lieutenant killed, two city officials hurt." The Birmingham News
  • Burnett, Jason (February 4, 2007) "Bessemer City Hall" Historic Downtown Bessemer
  • Norris, Toraine (May 15, 2012) "Bessemer council authorizes mayor to explore purchasing church for new city hall." The Birmingham News