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Rockford City Hall

The era of massive governmental building projects just after the turn of the century also included the Rockford City Hall. The first city hall also provided a major black eye for the construction industry. Located on Walnut Street, the city hall was to be constructed for a price of $88,000 by Pearce Brothers. In January of 1905, work was halted and charges raised that the specified eight inch sandstone walls were only four inches thick. The resulting scandal caused architect and contractor to be dismissed. Winchester and Cullen completed the project on February 1, 1907.

The transition from old to new city halls in Rockford was completed in 1941 when officials took over the long vacant Manufacturer's Bank building at the corner of Second and East State. The WPA (Works Progress Administration) paid for the building's cleanup and repair prior to city occupancy.

In 1992 the first major renovation and upgrade in over fifty years was approved for City Hall. Sjostrom & Sons, coordinated the existing limestone facade with brick while constructing an adjoining 33,000 square foot addition. They directed the restoration process that refurbished the ornate interior plaster to it original luster. Major subcontractors in charge of the delicate restoration were Mid-States Construction and Schoening Painting and Decorating.

Content for this page is from the book, They To Cast Shadows.