One of Athens landmarks is City Hall. The first City Hall, built with funds appropriate in 1845, was built to provide a market on the ground floor where meat was sold, theatrical performances, and political meetings. A new City Hall was later built and completed in 1903. City Hall was constructed on solid Lexington granite on the first floor, light buff brick, with limestone trimmings on the upper floors. The building was originally constructed with 27 large rooms and a number of storage rooms. The building housed an auditorium, which would
accommodate 300 people, an armory for the local military company, offices for city officials, and an office for the Chamber of Commerce. There are three entrances fronted by square porches. The clock tower is constructed of wood topped by copper cupola or dome. Perched atop the four-faced clock and the dome is an eagle with an eight foot vane, but it moves slowly because of its weight. Of particular interest are the clock and bell connected to it that rings on the hour. This bell was once connected to the Fire Department's alarm system, but it rang so loud and clear that all Clark County would come to a fire, hindering the work of the firemen. It was disconnected from the signal alarm and the
danger was dulled. The clock was handmade and operated with counterweights like an old grandfather clock until it was electrified in 1943. Before this change, the janitor had to climb five flights of steps once a week to wind the clock. Today, City Hall is the location of the Mayor's Office and houses a variety of government offices. Since its completion in 1903, it has undergone numerous renovation and modification efforts. However, the landmark clock tower hand not undergone major renovation for well over 30 years. An
assessment provided by an architectural firm estimated the renovation project to cost $2.5 million, but Facilities Management Division Administrator Robert Baird and a skilled construction team of Facilities Management employees decided to take on the project themselves. The repair efforts from start to finish took almost a year. After an intensive search for a metal worker capable of such detailed and unique repairs, the eagle's restoration took over three weeks.
One of Athens landmarks is City Hall. The first City Hall, built with funds appropriate in 1845, was built to provide a market on the ground floor where meat was sold, theatrical performances, and political meetings. A new City Hall was later built and completed in 1903. City Hall was constructed on solid Lexington granite on the first floor, light buff brick, with limestone trimmings on the upper floors. The building was originally constructed with 27 large rooms and a number of storage rooms. The building housed an auditorium, which would accommodate 300 people, an armory for the local military company, offices for city officials, and an office for the Chamber of Commerce. There are three entrances fronted by square porches. The clock tower is constructed of wood topped by copper cupola or dome. Perched atop the four-faced clock and the dome is an eagle with an eight foot vane, but it moves slowly because of its weight. Of particular interest are the clock and bell connected to it that rings on the hour. This bell was once connected to the Fire Department's alarm system, but it rang so loud and clear that all Clark County would come to a fire, hindering the work of the firemen. It was disconnected from the signal alarm and the danger was dulled. The clock was handmade and operated with counterweights like an old grandfather clock until it was electrified in 1943. Before this change, the janitor had to climb five flights of steps once a week to wind the clock. Today, City Hall is the location of the Mayor's Office and houses a variety of government offices. Since its completion in 1903, it has undergone numerous renovation and modification efforts. However, the landmark clock tower hand not undergone major renovation for well over 30 years. An assessment provided by an architectural firm estimated the renovation project to cost $2.5 million, but Facilities Management Division Administrator Robert Baird and a skilled construction team of Facilities Management employees decided to take on the project themselves. The repair efforts from start to finish took almost a year. After an intensive search for a metal worker capable of such detailed and unique repairs, the eagle's restoration took over three weeks.
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