Hoboken City Hall, 86-98 Washington St Hoboken, Hudson County, NJ
City Hall has served as Hoboken`s political center since 1883, and was the first building in Hoboken ever constructed exclusively as a city hall. An 1880 Act of the State Legislature authorized cities without city halls to construct ones on city-held or donated public squares. Hoboken typified the proverbial "melting pot" for immigrants of all nations. It is therefore very significant that its city hall was built by a German immigrant, Francis George Himpler, who adopted Hoboken as his second home and subsequently became an architect of regional and national significance. City Hall was designed by him during the prime of his career, after he had completed the designs of several civic and religious buildings in Hoboken. City Hall also derives significance as a military center its top floor originally housed an armory. When the hall was enlarged in 1911, a floor was added and the armory was relocated to the new top floor. At dawn of the Progressive movement in Hoboken (ca. 1911), recommendations were made by the Board of Trade to expand and rehabilitate the City Hall building. An addition made from 1912-1913 created one additional floor and placed two wings and a Beaux Arts entry portico onto the main facade of the 1883 structure. The addition symbolizes the ambition of the city in the first decade of the 20th century in striving to be "modern." In 1976, City Hall, nominated to the National Registers underwent a rehabilitation which included a new roof, new windows, and the stabilization, and restoration of brownstone and copper trim. Once again, the preservation and reuse of the building was chosen, a preference that reflects the growing appreciation of the old architecture of Hoboken.
Hoboken City Hall, 86-98 Washington St Hoboken, Hudson County, NJ
City Hall has served as Hoboken`s political center since 1883, and was the first building in Hoboken ever constructed exclusively as a city hall. An 1880 Act of the State Legislature authorized cities without city halls to construct ones on city-held or donated public squares. Hoboken typified the proverbial "melting pot" for immigrants of all nations. It is therefore very significant that its city hall was built by a German immigrant, Francis George Himpler, who adopted Hoboken as his second home and subsequently became an architect of regional and national significance. City Hall was designed by him during the prime of his career, after he had completed the designs of several civic and religious buildings in Hoboken. City Hall also derives significance as a military center its top floor originally housed an armory. When the hall was enlarged in 1911, a floor was added and the armory was relocated to the new top floor. At dawn of the Progressive movement in Hoboken (ca. 1911), recommendations were made by the Board of Trade to expand and rehabilitate the City Hall building. An addition made from 1912-1913 created one additional floor and placed two wings and a Beaux Arts entry portico onto the main facade of the 1883 structure. The addition symbolizes the ambition of the city in the first decade of the 20th century in striving to be "modern." In 1976, City Hall, nominated to the National Registers underwent a rehabilitation which included a new roof, new windows, and the stabilization, and restoration of brownstone and copper trim. Once again, the preservation and reuse of the building was chosen, a preference that reflects the growing appreciation of the old architecture of Hoboken.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
