Boston City Hall, 41-45 School Street, Boston, Suffolk County, MA

Significance: Old City Hall is significant as one of the first major structures in the country to be built in the French Second Empire style and as a nationally-known work which inspired the building of other such monumental Second Empire public buildings in the United States in the 1870's and 80's. It is also the major work of two of Boston's most important 19th century architects, and served as the center of Boston city government for over 100 years. Today, renovated for modern offices, restaurants and commercial space, Old City Hall represents Boston's well-intrenched desire to preserve buildings of history and distinction.
Survey number: HABS MA-860
Building/structure dates: 1865 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1911 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1970 Subsequent Work