Media, Pennsylvania

The original section was completed in 1851 with one courtroom. The structure was later expanded
and altered in 1871, 1913 and 1929. It is generally regarded as one of the handsomest court houses
in the eastern United States. William Jennings Bryan once orated from the front steps and Ronald
Reagan also spoke here.

Princess Anne, Maryland

The first cases to be heard in Princess Anne took place in November, 1742. A wood frame courthouse was erected in Town and stood until 1831 when it burned. The next Somerset County courthouse rose on this site in 1833, this time constructed of brick. It stood for 70 years until it was razed to make room for its Georgian Revival replacement. It is said that some of the bricks from the prior house of justice were salvaged and used in the current building that has now entered its second century of duty.

Reading, Pennsylvania

The current City Hall replaced an overwhelmed old one at Fifth and Franklin streets. In 1925 the
voters by referendum decided upon a $750,000 bond issue for the purpose of securing a site and
erecting a new building. For some reason no action was taken until 1928, at which time the old
High School for Boys was purchased at a cost of $510,000. The 1904 Beaux Arts building was
designed by the Philadelphia firm of Davis & Davis. The imposing granite facade was retained
during alterations. The refurbished City Hall was dedicated in 1929.

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

When the founders of Pittsfield’s Episcopalian church wanted to build their new meetinghouse the land they wanted already had a town-owned structure that was used as a school and town business standing on part of it. In a compromise to build St. Stephen’s Lemuel Pomeroy offered to build a new town hall next door. The plain brick building with a stuccoed front was ready in 1832. It would pick up some styling through the years as it served as Town Hall until 1891 and City Hall afterwards into the middle 1900s when the government shuffled around th ecorner to the old post office. The building was fitted out for use as a bank.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania

David Yuengling opened his Eagle brewery here in 1829 but it was completely destroyed by fire after only two years of operation. He moved up to Mahantongo Street, where operations continue today. The City Hall was a Depression-era Works Progress Administration project and the sleek Art Deco building opened in 1937. The government moved here from a cozy two-story building at 14 North Third Street.

Washington, Pennsylvania

The Italian Renaissance Washington County Courthouse, from the pen of leading Pittsburgh architect Frederick Osterling, stands as one of Pennsylvania’s most magnificent temples of justice. Completed in 1900 at the total cost of $1,000,000, this is the county’s fourth courthouse.  A log structure built in 1787 served as the first county courthouse when the town was still called Basset. Still in use today, the courthouse is constructed of Columbia sandstone from Cleveland, South Carolina granite, iron and steel, brick and cement - all rising 150 feet to a hug, classical dome supporting a larger than life statue of George Washington.

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Rock Hill’s dome-clad City Hall was dedicated in 1992. A time capsule, scheduled to be opened in 2092 was buried in front of the building on Christmas Eve 1992. A town clock was also located between the City Hall and County Library.

Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation commissioned Audrey Flack in 1988 to sculpt the Civitas, a quartet of 22-foot sculptures to stand with two Masonic columns in a landscaped setting, creating a gateway for the city of Rock Hill over on Dave Lyle Boulevard. Civitas is Latin for “civic pride.” The Civitas was designed as a female version of Michelangelo’s “David” to reflect the spirit of Rock Hill’s textile heritage in the clothing and hair, which suggest billowing ribbons of material. A fifth Civitas statue stands in the Rotunda of Rock Hill City Hall.