Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Harris County, TX

Significance: Houston's 1939 City Hall, fifth in the City's history, represents a number of architectural trends influential during the 1920s and 1930s in the United States most notably the Stripped-Classical Moderne style, setback skyscraper massing and abstractly stylized architectural ornament. Architect Joseph Finger was one of Houston's first and best designers in the Moderne manner, and in this building he achieved an appropriately monumental structure, intended as a symbol of Houston's stable yet progressive outlook. The siting of the building and its relationship to Hermann Square represent important city planning and landscape decisions. The urban space which resulted, a combination of park, pool and plaza, has continually served as a public meeting place for social, political and cultural activities in downtown Houston. For over forty years this building has served as the seat of Houston's municipal government.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-150
Survey number: HABS TX-3226
Building/structure dates: 1939 Initial Construction