Springfield City Hall, 1890, 117 South Fountain Avenue, Springfield, Clark County, OH

Significance: Completed in 1890, the large city office building was designed by a well-known local architect, who also did many other large downtown buildings. The building represented Springfield's move into modern government operations and closely competed with other major Ohio cities, both for innovative design and size of the construction project. It was considered the center of downtown activity because it also included a major farmers' market. The City of Springfield, at this time, was considered second only to Cleveland in industry, and produced more equipment value-wise that Chicago. The design is Richardsonian Romanesque, a popular style of the late 19th century. This style also is found in business blocks, the library, and various homes in the Springfield area. Many of the people who lived in Springfield at the turn-of-the-century were wealthy industrialists, some of whom founded such major industries as International Harvester. These people naturally wanted the most up-to-date architectural designs and would hire the most well-known architects, including Henry Hobson Richardson's firm as well as Frank Lloyd Wright.
Survey number: HABS OH-417
Building/structure dates: 1890 Initial Construction