Market Hall

Market Hall

Syracuse's Market Hall, renamed City Hall in the same year as the Third Annual National Woman's Rights Convention (1852). This photo was taken circa 1889; the bell tower was a late addition (1857) and was not part of the structure at the time of the Woman's Rights Convention.

City Hall 1895

City Hall 1895

Syracuse City Hall as it appeared in 1895, just three years after its completion. At that time, the building faced the Erie Canal, with its main entrance on Water Street; the side seen here is now the rear of the structure. The rescue boat Good News floats in the canal basin in front of the building.

City Hall 1925

City Hall 1925

One year before this photo was taken in 1925, the Erie Canal had been filled in where it passed through downtown Syracuse. City Hall's rear entrance, facing Washington Street, became its main entrance. "Syracuse Bids You Welcome," says the illuminated sign.

Newspaper reports of Radical Abolition Convention

Newspaper reports of Radical Abolition Convention

Contemporary newspaper accounts of the first two days of the Radical Abolition Party convention. Courtesy Onondaga Historical Association.

Syracuse City Hall

Syracuse City Hall

Front view of Syracuse City Hall today. In 1924, the front entrance was shifted from the Erie Canal (Water Street) to the present location, facing Washington Street. This was a complex architectural undertaking; today there is no hint that the Washington Street entrance was not the building's original entrance.

Syracuse City Hall, rear view

Syracuse City Hall, rear view

Rear view of Syracuse City Hall looks across Water Street, which prior to 1924 was occupied by the Erie Canal. The building's original front entrance would have been where the three tall windows between the tall trees are now.

Syracuse City Hall, rear detail

Syracuse City Hall, rear detail

No expense was spared to match City Hall's 1892 masonry construction when the main entrance was removed from the Canal side and added to the Washington Street side. The Canal side (now facing Water Street) betrays no hint that its simple windows are not original.

Water Street

Water Street

Water Street, created when the original Erie Canal channel crossing downtown Syracuse was filled in during 1924. View looks away from the rear (former Canal side) of City Hall. Building at right is the Erie Canal Museum and city visitor center.

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