| Minneapolis and Hennepin County founders had a grand vision for their city when construction of the City Hall and Courthouse began in the 1880s. Just a decade prior to this it had become readily apparent that the existing -- and geographically separate -- city hall and county courthouse buildings had increasingly inadequate space for serving the needs of a rapidly growing fontier town. Finally, with much deliberation, a decision was made to join the two entities under one roof with the guidance of a comittee comprised of both City Council members and County Commissioners.
The City Hall and Courthouse was built between 1887 and 1906 on the site of the first public schoolhouse west of the Mississippi River. Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis each occupied half of the building. The County ceremoniously moved in November 11, 1895 and the City followed on December 15, 1902. A 1904 Minnesota Statute decreed that both parties were to share in the care and regulation of the building under the direction of the Municipal Building Commission.
When completed, the City Hall and Courthouse had more than enough room for government functions - a blacksmith shop, a horse stable, a wool brokerage, and a chicken hatchery rented the building's excess space. After 1940, things started getting crowded and, despite major modifications, the only solution was a new building. Hennepin County moved most operations across the street into its new Government Center in 1975.
For a detailed history of the building, see our decade-by-decade timeline of events regarding the building or stop by the MBC office to purchase a copy of Municipal Monument, which chronicles the first 100 years old the building's history. For even more information, check out the building Fun Facts or click on the historic photo archive for historic images of the building and of Minneapolis in the early 1900s.
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