As Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana prepares to host an open house tomorrow from 5:30-7:30 p.m., I suspect there will be much chatter as to the future of this regal building. Therefore, I thought it befitting to give a quick synopsis of its inception...
After years of having offices in the basement of the beautiful old Marion County courthouse, the city offices had to relocate to make space for the expanding county business. Indianapolis Mayor Bookwalter determined that a city hall should be constructed. His original concept included a colosseum to be built in conjunction with this new city hall to provide a space for large gatherings.
Following a couple of lawsuits, the colosseum plan was nixed and plans to erect the new city hall proceeded. Early on, it was suggested that the new city hall should be located just north of the courthouse--ironically, where the City-County Building now sits. However, the county objected and on October 30, 1907 the northwest corner of Ohio and Alabama Streets was purchased for $115,000.
Plans for the new city hall were drawn up by the architectural firm of Rubush & Hunter and adopted November 3, 1908. Work started in after April 1909. There was a labor strike in September 1909 with only a short interruption.
Imagine those windows opened back up!
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