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In 1891 plans were made to erect a new
city hall on land donated by P.B. Cornwall after the towns of Whatcom and
New Whatcom (formerly Sehome) consolidated. After a contract of almost
$40,000 was given and the excavation had begun, a newly elected city council
decided to change the building's location. The location of the initial site
was determined to be above an old mining tunnel. Henry Roeder sold the city
four new lots with a great view of Bellingham and Bellingham Bay for $5,000.
Whatcom City Hall was designed by local architect Alfred Lee in the
Second Empire style of Victorian architecture, currently one of this style's
most exquisite example in the Pacific Northwest. This building epitomizes
the general characteristics of this French inspired style, which are tall,
bold and purposely three-dimensional. Some of the design elements are also
an eclectic mixture of the Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival style. The
Whatcom Museum building includes a high mansard roof, classical columns on
either side of the main entrance, and a prominent, central bell tower.
The Museum's exterior incorporates red brick with gray Chuckanut
sandstone. The interior utilizes a variety of woods such as cedar for the
original doors and balcony railings and maple for the first-floor paneling.
The Whatcom museum building is grand in scale with three stories, a full
basement a large attic, and four matching cupolas on each of the corners.
The stunning architecture of the city hall has made it the city's jewel for
years and a prominent feature of the city skyline.
The first city council meeting was held in the new building on May 8 of
1883. The first piece of legislation enacted was an ordinance to prohibit
cows from walking the city streets at night. In 1903 the city of Whatcom
grew by merging again, this time with Fairhaven, and the building became
Bellingham City Hall after the renamed city. The city government continued
to work out of this building until a new city hall was built on Lottie
Street in 1939. The Victorian building was then converted to the Whatcom
Museum of local history and art.
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Poor wiring was the cause of a fire that ruined the roof, the bell tower
and one of the cupolas in 1962. The bell is now on display near the parking
lot on the West Side of the museum. The Whatcom Museum Society raised the
funds needed to completely restore the building. The interior was slightly
altered for more efficient exhibit space, but the original courtroom was
left intact. Local architect George Bartholik completed the restoration in
1968 and, with periodic maintenance, the Whatcom Museum continues to be the
community's pride. The Whatcom Museum of History and Art is among the finest
small museums in the United States. The Whatcom Museum was placed on the
National Historic List in 1972, recognizing its national significance.
For more information see the
Old
City Hall National Register of Historic Places Nomination.