USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 7
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The resignation of Mr. Hutchinson in March, 1914, left a vacancy to which Charles A. Colley, president of the chamber of commerce, was subsequently appointed, and when death claimed John F. Garron, Alderman Mortimer Doran was chosen to fill the vacancy. The first meeting of the commission was held August 1, 1912. In January, 1914, Mayor Martin Scully succeeded Francis T. Reeves as city executive, and automatically became head of the commission.
One of the first acts of the commission, following negotiations for the transfer of title to the city government of the property on which the present building stands, was to hold a competition conducted by Prof. Warren Powers Laird, of the University of Pennsylvania, to select an architect to design and supervise the construction of the new city hall. The plans of Cass Gilbert, of New York, were selected. On July 8, 1914, the Geo. A. Fuller Construction Company of New York signed the contract to construct the building, and in the early part of August, 1914, ground was broken. The appointment of two supervisors, Charles M. Gasson for the construction company, and Frederick C. Peckwell, for the city's interests. occurred shortly after.
The building was officially opened during "Old Home Week," November 25, 26 and 27, 1915, although many of the departments did not occupy it until January, 1916.
The city hall is situated on Grand Street, adjoining Library Park, and com- manding an approach to the center of the city through Leavenworth Street.
The entourage which fronts the length of the building on Grand Street is its show feature. Standing within a low rounded marble coping, which surrounds it on all sides and separates it from the broad encircling sidewalk, it is laid out in a formal Colonial style which harmonizes with the delicate red and white ornamenta- tion of the facade. At the edge of the sidewalk at regular intervals are placed five decorative, 18-foot, bronze lamp standards. The approach to the entourage is by white marble steps, flanked on either side by smaller auxiliary stairways, also of white marble, which lead to the main section, containing the decorative features.
The fountain is centered in a small court, the pavement of which is of red brick
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THE NEW CITY HALL, WATERBURY
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inset with white marble bands enclosing a large circular slab. At the main entrance are two decorative vases or urns of white marble, several feet in height, from the base of each of which, through the mouth of a carved satyr, jets a stream of water flanking the central fountain.
The building, which is of Colonial design, is built around a rectangular court, laid out as a sunken Italian garden. It is not only the office building of the city and town officers, and the home of the probate and city courts, but also the head- quarters of the fire department and the police department. The east wing is devoted to the fire department and the west wing is devoted to the police depart- ment. The main portion is three stories high, with a roof and a cupola tower, with a 4-dial clock, gilded dome and weather vane. The other three sections are but two stories high.
Its exterior is of Vermont marble and North Haven brick, marble blocks com- prising most of the walls of the first story and marble pillars running to the roof between the windows of the main portion of the building. At the east and west ends, on marble slabs set into the walls, are appropriate inscriptions and on ten circular marble slabs set into the walls of the third story are ten different designs, in bas relief, significant of the city's industries and character. A marble fence surrounds the roof of the main building.
The collector, assessors, probate court, board of charities, town clerk, and city clerk, have offices and vaults on the main floor. The basement provides janitors' rooms and storage rooms, heating plant, a store for the board of charities, labora- tory and nurses' rooms for the board of health, testing rooms and storage rooms for the engineering department, and rooms for the sealer of weights and measures. On the second floor are the offices of the mayor, the personal tax collector, the board of public works, city court judge, a jury room, lawyers' room, juvenile court room, city court clerk's and prosecuting attorney's offices. At the Field Street end of the building, on the second floor, is the aldermanic chamber, which occupies both the second and third floors, and at the west end of the building is the city court room, also extending through to the third floor.
On the top floor are the drafting rooms and offices of the city engineer's depart- ment, probation officer's room and offices for the corporation counsel, health officer and inspectors and board of health, registrars of voters, city sheriff, park superin- tendent, building inspector, and telephone exchange.
In this portion of the building, the corridors are built with marble floors and the trimming is white wood, enameled to an ivory finish. Throughout the rest of the building, the floors are terrazzo and the woodwork oak.
On the Field Street side is the fire headquarters with the apparatus room, repair shop, firemen's waiting room and toilet rooms on the main floor. On the second floor are the offices of the board of public safety with offices and rooms also for the officers of the fire department and bed rooms for twenty-one firemen. There is a fine shower bath room and toilets for officers and men, linen closets, and a recreation room, some of these occupying the rear portion of the building.
In the police wing of the building there is a large drill hall in the basement, locker rooms, sergeants' room, smoking room, storage rooms, toilets and shower bath. There is also a large room in which the homeless are provided with sleep- ing accommodations.
On the first floor are the offices of the police department officials, a men's cell room with thirty cells and room for ten more, detention rooms and a police garage, the entrance to which is from the rear of the building. The second floor accom- modates the detective bureau with offices, a Bertillon room, dark room, detention
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room for women, a cell room with ten cells for women, matron's office. bed room, living room and kitchen.
Directly facing the main street entrance is the 10-foot main inner staircase of white marble, which, ascending some twenty-six steps to a first landing, branches to either side, and winds up and back to the second floor. Leading to the right and left of the first floor central hall are two corridors all in white marble, and both with lofty ceilings in the same design as the main hall. On either side of these corridors are the first set of city offices. At the end of either corridor are the side entrances of the building, reached by sets of marble steps. The corridors are fourteen feet in width, with all of the office doors inset in arched alcoves which are duplicated at regular intervals along the wall of the corridors. The lighting for the main hall and corridors is furnished by ten large decorative bronze hanging fixtures, strung through the center of the corridors and grouped in the main hall. At the left of the staircase on entering is located the elevator.
The corridors and ceilings are decorated in grayish ivory relieved by soft buff and violet in the coffers. All this decorating, as well as the special rooms, was done by Arthur Willetts, of New York.
Featured in the artistic decoration of the building are the ten circular bas-relief inset medallions. Six are set in the front and two each in the Field Street and Library side of the structure. They symbolize Truth, Prudence, Industry. the City Seal, Commerce, Force, Law, Justice, Wisdom and Order.
The aldermanic chamber is of noble proportions, with a lofty, elaborately deco- rated ceiling. The walls are of greenish gray plaster and rise from a white base. All carry inset fluted white columns. For illumination there is a massive hanging cluster of lights set in two concentric circles, the larger outer circle carrying twenty- seven lights in the form of imitation candles, and the inner circle carrying thirteen of the same variety.
Over the president's seal are inscribed the words: "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck ; write them upon the tablet of thy heart, so thou shalt find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man." -- Proverbs, III.
The city court room, at the west end of the corridor, is finished in much the same style as the aldermanic chamber and is of the same generous proportions. It has the same massive pendant light cluster. The walls are treated in a grayish motif, relieved by decorated motifs in the frieze and panels. Over the judge's bench is inscribed: "The foundations of justice are that none shall be harmed and the commonweal be served." The interior decorations are beautiful. This work was done by Arthur Willetts, of New York.
A large bell which was purchased by the City Hall Commission was intended to be installed on the roof of the city hall. The light and graceful clock tower on the building not being designed to carry the added weight, the architect was asked to furnish an estimate of cost for a bell tower. This would have been expensive and would probably have destroyed the harmony of the sky lines. It was offered to the board of education for use on a school and to the board of public safety for a fire bell, but was refused because there was no money available to add a bell tower to any existing building. There was a highly eligible location for it in the tower of the Union Station, although this was open to the seeming objection that the station was the property, not of the city. but of the New York. New Haven and Hartford Railroad. However, this was overlooked, the company was induced to consent to the installation of the bell there and it was raised in the summer of 1916. It remained in the control of the city to be rung on special occasions.
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The municipal flag which floats from the staff was officially adopted on October II, 1915. This is the approved design: "The City Seal in the center of the flag, and the motto, 'Quid Aere Perennius,' underneath the seal. The words, 'City of Waterbury' overhead the seal, and the figures '1853-1915' underneath the seal; the seal and lettering to be gold on a blue ground; size of flag, 18 feet."
The following is the summary of the receipts and expenditures in connection with the purchase of the site, and the erection and equipment of the building.
REALIZED
From insurance on old building $ 62,470.47
From bond issue :
Authorized sale of 10-year bonds issued December, 1913. 100,000.00
Authorized sale of 40-year bonds issued June, 1914. 400,000.00
Authorized sale of 40-year bonds issued June, 1915. 400,000.00
Total $062,476.47
EXPENDED
For purchase of original site. .$ 92,000.00 For purchase of addition from United Electric Light & Water Company 33,000.00 For purchase of addition from Platt Brothers & Co 19,740.00 To Geo. A. Fuller Co. for construction 604.300.73
Expenses and fees, Cass Gilbert, architect. 49,240.71
Expense of competition on plans. 11,050.55 Bell 1 .. 3,137.94
Gamewell Fire Alarm. 19,712.43
Furniture, equipment, supplies. etc. 85.303.30
$917.485.66
THE DEDICATION EXERCISES-"OLD HOME WEEK"
At the suggestion of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, the board of alder- men in the summer of 1915 endorsed the idea of holding an "Old Home Week" as a means of properly dedicating the new city hall, but neither the aldermen nor the city hall commission could find any legal authority for voting the necessary funds. The city found it could spend $500 which went to pay expenses of the actual dedicatory exercises and the chamber of commerce undertook to provide for all other expenses and to manage the celebration. A general meeting of representa- tives of lodges and societies from all sections of the city was held at the Elks' Club and it was found that there was a real desire for an extensive celebration. It was so long since there had been any occasion for celebration that it was at first proposed to make the celebration last a week and bring the entire brigade of the Connecticut National Guard here for a military parade. This, however, proved to be impractical, but a very lively program was arranged for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 25th, 26th and 27th.
On Friday morning the school children paraded, with an escort of Boy Scouts. from Croft School to Grand Street, where exercises were held in front of the city hall. Children from the South Main Street playground gave folk dances. The school children sang the "Old Home Week" song, "An Invitation," the words of which were written by Rev. John G. Davenport, D. D. Afterwards the children paraded to Chase Park Bridge, where the Sled Haul Brook Tablet was dedicated. This was erected by the Mattatuck Historical Society and unveiled on this occasion
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by Edwin S. Hunt, assisted by Miss Carolyn White Griggs and Master Roger Sherman Makepeace, the latter a direct descendant of Rev. John Southmayd and Rev. Mark Leavenworth.
The historical interest of the occasion, which was further amplified by Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., in a characteristically thorough historical address, is sufficiently told for our purpose here by the inscription which reads as follows :
"On the opposite side of the river and probably in the small hill about forty rods easterly, tradition says that the first settlers of Waterbury spent their first winter in a dugout or cave. Wood was obtained from this side and hauled on a sled across the frozen still water ; hence, Sled-Haul and Sled Hall Brook, 1677-8."
"Erected by the Mattatuck Historical Society, 1915."
On Thursday evening came the dedication of the "Clock on The Green," the acceptance of the big flag pole on The Green by the city and a fireworks display on Grand Street opposite the city hall. The Elks arranged a special ritual for the clock dedication and the ceremony was in charge of Dr. J. W. Fruin. The pre- sentation address was by Charles A. Colley, speaking for the chamber of commerce, and the unveiling was by little Miss Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Jackson, Mr. Jackson being the contractor for the monument. Mayor Scully and the late Rev. F. D. Buckley also spoke.
The annual parade of the police and fire departments followed at I P. M. and at 2 P. M. came the dedication exercises at the city hall. Capt. Alfred F. Wolff presided, the opening prayer was by Reverend Doctor Anderson and the bene- diction by Rev. Luke Fitzsimons. The new municipal flag and the national emblem were raised on the Venetian flag poles in front of the building for the first time under the auspices of Wadhams Post, Sons of Veterans, Berlin.
On Friday evening Governor Marcus A. Holcomb and his staff were the guests of honor at a ball given at Buckingham Hall. Prior to this a banquet had been given the visitors at The Elton by the chamber of commerce.
It is estimated that 125,000 people saw the civic and military parade held Saturday afternoon, November 27, 1915. On the reviewing stand with the gov- ernor were the members of his staff, Mayor Scully of Waterbury, Mayor Rice of New Haven, Mayor Dutton of Bristol, and many local men of note. This was also the day for the formal opening of the new city hall for public inspection.
In the parade were the Second Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, the First and Second Companies, Governor's Foot Guard, the Putnam Phalanx, the Connecticut Brigade, Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, many civic societies and a score of floats. The line of march led over the new Freight Street Bridge, which was used on this day for the first time. Col. James Geddes was grand marshal.
The total expenses of the celebration were approximately $7,500. This amount had been raised by public subscription and as there were revenues from sale of programs, grand stand seats and privileges amounting to over two thousand dol- lars, the celebration produced a surplus which was turned over to the chamber of commerce.
SALE OF THE OLD CITY HALL PROPERTY
In January, 1917, the city sold the site of the old city hall building, including the ruins remaining from the disastrous fire of 1912, together with the building occupied by the police department, the three-story fire headquarters, and the old building, with its additions, which had housed the Bronson Library until it was re- moved to its present Grand Street site. The amount paid was $225,000, and the purchasers were James E. Russell, of Waterbury, and Edwin S. Dreyfus, of Boston.
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In March, the entire property was sold by Russell and Dreyfus to the George L. Lilley Company. This corporation, during the summer of 1917, sold the brick fire house to P. M. Devenis of Waterbury, who had the building moved to its present site on Kendrick Avenue, opposite the court house.
The old city hall site has now been cleared of all debris, and the foundation of a new building, being erected by the George L. Lilley Company, is completed. The plans for this are by Wilfred E. Griggs, and provide for a business building to occupy a space of 145 feet on West Main and 175 feet on Leavenworth streets, the latter frontage along the lines of the widened street. The building is to be two stories high for 100 feet back of West Main Street, and one story high on the remaining lot. It is to be a plain brick structure, with eleven stores and fifty-five offices.
THE WATERBURY COURT HOUSE
From 1867 to 1896 the city of Waterbury furnished a court room in the city hall to the superior court for New Haven County for its sessions in Water- bury. This was at the southeast corner of the building. The building of the police station in 1890 at the southeast corner of the city hall property shut out light and air to a great extent from the court, which was the principal room on the main floor of the building. Anderson's History records that there was severe criticism of the location of the police building which gave superior court judges an excuse for frequently adjourning the terms of the Waterbury Superior Court to New Haven. Doctor Anderson also records that "there are now both civil and criminal terms of the superior court by law established and nominally held in Waterbury, though frequently adjourned to New Haven."
This proving inconvenient, the County of New Haven erected a court house at Leavenworth Street and Kendrick Avenue, fronting on the former street. It was opened in December, 1896, and cost the county $91,000. On February 24, 1905, the county commissioners celebrated the burning up of sixty-one of the 4 per cent, gold coin, $1,000 bonds issued by the county to pay for the new building. This extinguished the county debt for the time being.
The county soon got into debt again, for the need of a new and a larger court house had become evident in 1906, and it was in that year that an effort was made to secure an appropriation for a new building, or for the reconstruction of the old building. Simultaneously a new court house project started in New Haven result- ing in the monumental marble structure erected there at a cost of one million dollars. The two buildings were authorized at the same county caucus.
In 1908. the tentative plans for the complete reconstruction of the Waterbury building were submitted to the county commissioners, and the first appropriation had been secured. On March 7, 1910, the courts were moved to one of the floors in the Odd Fellows Building and were compelled to make these cramped quarters serve until August 1, 1911, when the new building was occupied.
The first session of the superior court was held in the new building by Judge Lucien F. Burpee on September 12, 1911. Rev. John N. Lewis, rector of St. John's Church, delivered the opening prayer.
When the building was completed, the cost was found to be $164,412.05. This did not include the interior furnishings for which another heavy appropriation was made.
The building was constructed about the old court house, the entire exterior being new .. The old court house was two stories in height. The new one has three stories. Two wings were added, thus giving ample room for the court work. The Leavenworth Street facade was torn down and the building enlarged, a new entrance being made on Kendrick Avenue.
Vol. I-4
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The exterior is built in the Italian Renaissance, the four massive Ionic columns giving it a decidedly classic appearance. The outside is terra cotta for the orna- mental work, granite for underpinning, and red tapestry brick.
There are three high and commodious court rooms, each with judges' chambers and comfortable jury rooms attached. The interior is furnished in ash. The offices for the clerks of the court are especially adapted for the easy filing and safekeeping of records. The probate court occupied a smaller court room until 1916, but was then removed to the city hall and that room is being fitted up as an office for the county commissioners.
Some of the rooms have been used recently for meetings of the draft exemption boards.
WATERBURY'S FEDERAL BUILDING
Doctor Anderson's History left the United States Postoffice in the E. R. Lamp- son Building on the present site of the Manufacturers National Bank Building, but on October 15, 1895, the Odd Fellows Building was dedicated and quarters were prepared in it which were to house the postoffice for a few years. The change from Bank Street, where the mails had been handled since 1870, was made as soon as the old lease expired on July 11. 1900.
Waterbury had agitated long and contentiously for a postoffice. In 1900 it had again outgrown its quarters and Congressman Nehemiah D. Sperry was working to have the city placed on the list for an appropriation, which was how- ever by no means adequate. The site was to cost no more than $40,000, and the building with all appurtenances was to be kept within the $150,000 appropriation. No action was taken, however, until 1902, when on the strength of sympathy for Waterbury's loss by the big fire, Mr. Sperry had the matter rushed through.
In the summer of 1902 an inspector of the United States Treasury Department came to Waterbury to look over the available sites. Within a week he had been tendered eight different properties, but made it clear to the business men that his choice lay between the property at West Main Street and Holmes Avenue, on which the Waterbury Club is now building and the present site.
The men interested in the development of Grand Street got together and found that the properties really wanted by the Government would mean a 158-foot front on Grand Street, and were known as the Blake, Dykman and Peck proper- ties, for which approximately $58,000 was asked. This was divided as follows : $25,000 for the Blake property, $15,000 for the Dykman holdings, and $18,000 for the Peck property.
The sum of $18,000 was raised within a few hours through the efforts of Thomas D. Barlow, George E. Boyd and George L. White. The net amount contributed was $14,000, as the Boys' Club site was set off and netted the con- tributors a return of $4,000. The following contributed :
The Waterbury National Bank, The A. S. Chase Co., The American Printing Co., D. T. Hart, D. E. Fitzpatrick, Charles O'Connor, Margaret D. Atkins, George E. Judd, W. H. Camp, The Reid & Hughes Dry Goods Co., E. B. Bowditch, H. S. Chase, J. H. Whittemore, George L. White, Harriet W. Harrison, John W. Gaff- ney, Elisha Leavenworth, Lewis Beardsley, D. H. Tierney, New England Engineer- ing Co., and The Barlow Brothers Co.
On January 14, 1903, land was officially deeded to the Government by George E. Boyd for $40,000.
Work was begun in the spring from plans of Supervising Architect Taylor of the Treasury Department, which provided for a building much on the style of other public structures in the country. The front is of limestone and red brick,
POSTOFFICE, WATERBURY
THE COURTHOUSE, WATERBURY
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with ornamental half pillars on each side of the entrance. The interior finish is of stucco and wood. On February 12, 1905, the postoffice was moved into its new quarters without ceremony of any kind.
In 1884 there were four carriers of whom two are still in the service, John J. Kunkel, Carrier No. 3. and Charles Hotchkiss, Carrier No. 1. John W. Hill will on January 1, 1918, celebrate his fiftieth year in the service. He has been post- master, general clerk, money order clerk, and is now employed in the money order division. In 1893 the force consisted of eight clerks, ten carriers and one substitute carrier.
In 1917 there are forty-seven regular carriers, and three extras, making fifty in all. There are forty-three clerks in all departments.
There are four star routes connected with the local postoffice. One of these is a night New Haven service ; another gives four daily deliveries and returns from North Woodbury : another four daily deliveries and returns from Watertown, and a fourth gives one daily delivery and return from Torrington.
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