Following Tampa’s original incorporation in 1855, the city began a steady growth with immigrants from Cuba, Spain, and Italy. These new transplants created a growth-industry that quickly became the backbone of Tampa’s economy; cigar manufacturing.
By 1915, Tampa needed a new city hall. Built on land that once had been occupied by an 1842 frame house, the new structure was designed by Malachi Leo Elliott. The eight story “layer-cake” building included ornamental head decorations modeled on Seminole Native American women with braided hair. A four story annex served as Tampa’s police headquarters.
C. Hortense Oppenheimer, socialite daughter of a prominent physician (Louis Sims Oppenheimer) was immensely bothered by the fact that the new city hall did not have a clock tower. She soon launched a fund raising campaign to put one on the building. Her organization, “Ye Town Criers” raised $1,200, which was matched by private donors. For her efforts, Tampa named the clock tower “Hortense the Beautiful.”
During the 1960’s, the four story annex that served as police headquarters had deteriorated so badly that it had to be demolished (a new police headquarters building was constructed across the street). By 1974, Tampa’s City Hall had been listed on the National Register of Historic places. The structure underwent $16 million renovation in 2017.
By 1915, Tampa needed a new city hall. Built on land that once had been occupied by an 1842 frame house, the new structure was designed by Malachi Leo Elliott. The eight story “layer-cake” building included ornamental head decorations modeled on Seminole Native American women with braided hair. A four story annex served as Tampa’s police headquarters.
C. Hortense Oppenheimer, socialite daughter of a prominent physician (Louis Sims Oppenheimer) was immensely bothered by the fact that the new city hall did not have a clock tower. She soon launched a fund raising campaign to put one on the building. Her organization, “Ye Town Criers” raised $1,200, which was matched by private donors. For her efforts, Tampa named the clock tower “Hortense the Beautiful.”
During the 1960’s, the four story annex that served as police headquarters had deteriorated so badly that it had to be demolished (a new police headquarters building was constructed across the street). By 1974, Tampa’s City Hall had been listed on the National Register of Historic places. The structure underwent $16 million renovation in 2017.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tampa’s City Hall is definitely worth a visit.
It even sports its own postcard.
One of the unique features of the exterior is a series of ornamental head decorations modeled on Seminole Native American Women.
Dr. Oppenheimer with his daughters C. Hortense, Irma, Olive, Dorothy, and Carmen (1919). Hortense was instrumental in raising funds to add a clock tower to Tampa’s City Hall.
Her efforts resulted in a beautiful addition to the building.
This annex to City Hall originally served as police headquarters until the 1960’s , when it had to be demolished because of deterioration.
When we toured Tampa’s City Hall, the nice folks in the City Clerk’s office recorded our visit...
...and Karencia offered to serve as our guide.
This lounge near the City Council chambers also hosted small group meetings.
The elevator controls referenced a bygone era.
We got to see the City Council Chambers up close and personal...
...and even held our own meeting (nothing substantive was passed).
During our visit, we were fortunate to meet Mayor Jane Castor just as she was ready to take her dog for a walk.
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