CITY HALL NEW YORK
WITH the highest buildings in the world rising in rivalry nearby, attracting every eye because of their novelty, the New York City Hall often escapes notice, or is given shorter consideration than its excellent architecture and historical significance deserve. Though it is neither large nor expensive, it is better designed and more carefully executed than any of the older public buildings in the country.
John McComb is generally accepted as the architect; but it would be safer to speak of him as the builder, since most of the designing seems to have been done by a French surveyor, Joseph Mangin. To Mangin are probably due that shapely and dignified architecture which gives it a place among beautiful buildings, and the skilful design of its decorations. McComb carried out the work of building with great care, receiving six dollars a day for his time. The construction was begun in 1803. The first intention was to use brownstone. McComb, however, saw that no meaner material than marble could do justice to the purpose or the workmanship of the proposed City Hall. Accordingly he persuaded the committee in charge to let him use marble on three sides. The stone was hauled over from the Berkshire Hilts by horses and oxen; for locomotives had not yet been invented.
One room of the City Hall was set aside for the State governor's use; and it has lately been restored to the original condition. Many excellent portraits hang on the walls. The furniture of the Governor's Room was largely taken from Federal Hall, where Washington was inaugurated and the city government was located before the building of the City Hall. Federal Hall has unfortunately been destroyed. It stood at the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets, and was built with stone from the wall that gave Wall Street its name.
A number of years ago there was a proposal to remove the City Hall from its present position because it was no longer large enough for the city government and was too far from the center of Greater New York. Then, because of its architectural merit as well as its history, such protest was aroused that both building and park have been kept intact.
In May, 1917, a fire burned the tower and destroyed the clock of the City Hall.
Transcriber's Notes:
1. 'inclose' is an older form of 'enclose', probably still in use when this book was written.