After an 1889 architectural competition won by Omaha architects Fowler & Beindorff, the City Hall was built by the construction firm of John F. Coots from
Detroit,
Michigan. The building cost approximately $550,000 to construct, and included several interesting features. A raised
basement and first floor were built of
granite, while the second through fifth floors were of red
sandstone. Solid
oak lined every interior wall, while the
Victorian-style
city council chamber featured a large
brass chandelier. There were murals throughout the building by artist Gustave Fuchs, and "birdcage" elevators brought guests to the sixth floor of the building, which was added in 1916. Marble stairs led from the main entrance to a second-floor
atrium court, and at the southwest corner of the building a
clock tower rose nearly 20 stories into the air. A steepled roof crowned the building, with
gargoyles abounding. In 1919
Omaha mayor James C. Dahlman ordered the destruction of the top section of the tower, and in 1950 the building was completely renovated, destroying the original facade. In 1962 the City of Omaha Public Works Director officially classified the building as dangerous, and in 1966 Mayor A.V. Sorensen sold it to the
Woodmen of the World. Late that year they demolished it along with the historic
Bee Building in order to build the
Woodmen Tower. ==See also==