Milwaukee City Hall, Renaissance Revival town hall in downtown Milwaukee, United States
Description
Milwaukee City Hall is a Renaissance Revival town hall in downtown Milwaukee, United States. The eight-story main structure is topped by a bell tower with a copper-clad spire that displays four clock faces and reaches a height of 108 meters (354 feet).
History
Construction was completed in 1895, and at that time the building ranked as the third tallest in the United States, a position it held for four years. Erecting the structure on marshy ground near the Milwaukee River required the use of 2,584 white pine piles driven deep into the soil.
Culture
The structure draws on Flemish Renaissance elements that recall the architectural traditions of northern Europe, honoring the origins of many immigrants who settled in the city during the 19th century. The four clock faces on the tower served the community as a shared timekeeper before wristwatches became common, shaping the rhythm of daily life in the neighborhood.
Practical
Visitors can find the building at 200 East Wells Street and tour it on weekends between 10 AM and 5 PM, with all areas accessible to those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. The tower and facade are visible from surrounding streets, making it easy to photograph and admire from the outside at any time of day.
Did you know?
The foundation rests on 2,584 white pine piles driven into marshy ground to support the weight of the tower and facade. This timber framework remains hidden below the water table and has provided stability for more than a century.
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