Municipal Building Commission
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 train 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
Interior View of Clock Face A view of a clock from inside the clock tower during the installation of a new clock face. Minneapolis Police Department Corridor Views of the interior such as this one show how much the building has evolved over a century of use. Because it was the first public building constructed with the entire support resting on the exterior walls, the interior space was and continues to be subject to great change. Residential View of City Hall and Courthouse Noted as its most prominent feature, the clock tower of the City Hall and Courthouse can be seen in the far distance from this view looking north up Park Avenue. Original City Council Chamber The original city council chambers, located on the third floor of the City Hall and Courthouse, was the most elaborately decorated interior when the building opened to the public. Among its extraordinary features was a ceiling that soared overhead with vaults that occupied part of the fifth floor.
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.mclaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us.

Last modified on 9/17/2010 11:57:39 AM