Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
City Hall (Old) |
Object ID |
1956.300.592 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Collection |
Frank M. Ingalls Collection |
Photographer |
Ingalls, Frank M. |
Year Range from |
1905 |
Year Range to |
1915 |
Description |
The first City Hall in Nashua was a brick and stone structure designed by Nashua's own Samuel Shepherd, an inventor, businessman and architect who had studied under the tutorage of Asher Benjamin, a noted New England architect of the time. Built in 1843 at 120 Main Street, this finely proportioned building consisted of a basement, first and second floors and an attic. There was a tower on the gable roof with a large bell that was used to call the court to order and also sounded an alarm when there was a fire in the city. A gilded eagle was perched atop the tower. The basement was used as a large public gathering room and in the winter it could be flooded to create an indoor skating rink. The first floor held the Aldermanic Chambers, the Common Council, Police and Court Rooms. On the second floor was the city hall that had two small offices near the stairs that handled resident's business with the city. The remaining second floor area was a large auditorium with galleries and moveable seats that could comfortably accommodate up to 1300 people. The attic was a finished space used by Nashua's military units for marching practice and drills. Unfortunately, after many years of use and disrepair, time and the elements took their toll and, by the 1930s, it became obvious that the old City Hall was beyond repair. WIth a Federal Assistance Grant in hand, plans for a new center for city government began in earnest. |
Subjects |
Streets Main Street City Hall (Old) |
Search Terms |
Main Street City Hall (Old) |