Historic Photos
Search
home > History > Historic Photos   Print View 
Historic Photos
Construction of the City Hall and Courthouse building was a feat to say the least. Huge blocks of granite -- some weighing as much as 26 tons each -- were transported by horse and wagon from Ortonville, Minnesota. The downtown Minneapolis landscape also has changed significantly since the building's inception in the late 1800s. As time has passed and events have occurred, the building has endured as a lasting icon for Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Peruse the historic photo archive for a look into the founding and life of the City Hall and Courthouse as well as some close-ups of key building features.


Image Gallery: Historic Photo Archive
Clock Tower Elevator A glance inside the clock tower elevator dated c. 1955 taken for a local newspaper. The elevator still exists today as seen in this photograph accommodating three to four people in very small and confined area for a ride that is equivalent to 13 stories.  Father of Waters Mississippi, or the Father of Waters as he is better known, has graced the rotunda of City Hall and Courthouse since 1904. Sculpted from the largest piece of marble taken from the famed Carrara quarries in Italy, he weighs over 14,000 pounds. Read more about the Father of Waters by clicking here.  Original Cathedral Courtroom The main courtroom, located on the third floor of the City Hall and Courthouse, matched the city council chambers in its grandness. Designed in the Arts and Craft style imported from Britain, it reflected the overall look of the building emphasizing the acanthus leaf motifs, coffered ceilings and large arches. Hennepin Avenue Suspension Bridge The predecessor to the present Hennepin Avenue bridge, the early suspension bridge connecting what is now downtown to St. Anthony.
See all 24 images.


All text and images © Municipal Building Commission unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Any reuse or republishing of the text or images on this Web site without prior written consent of the copyright holder is prohibited. For information or use permissions, contact the Municipal Building Commission. For problems or questions regarding this Web site contact tracey.snead@co.hennepin.mn.us.

Last modified on 11/14/2007 4:20:35 PM