Alexandria Louisiana City Hall

In 1909, the City of Alexandria decided to build a city hall on the block bounded by Second Street, Third Street, DeSoto Street and Murray Street.

Designed by noted Arkansas architect George Richard Mann who also designed the Bentley Hotel and the Youree Hotel In Shreveport, it was built by the Southern Building Company of Louisville, Kentucky.

With its four facades and central red dome it provided a powerful center to a green urban park.

The building featured a cream-colored brick with stone trim, and four matching porticos each with four Ionic columns.

A series of steps up to the 2nd floor were provided on the Second Street and Third Street entrances. Ground level entrances existed on the DeSoto and Murray Street entrances. Four floors of office space was provided.

The "new" Alexandria City Hall

To its immediate north was the historic Hotel Bentley.

Many remember the grand old structure and how it was decorated during each Christmas season. With its gentle sloping lawn, it was also a great location to watch the many parades down Third Street.

To the dismay of many to this day, the "old" city hall was demolished, and replaced with a "new" city hall in 1964.

Historic Photographs of the "old" City Hall in Alexandria

Laying the cornerstone at City Hall in 1909
Hotel Bentley in the background, Hemenway Furniture Co. across the street, and the bell tower of St. Frances Xavier Cathedral in the distance (courtesy of the Louisiana History Museum)

View from the Guaranty Bank Building in 1923, with a street car running on Second Street in front of the New York Cafe
(courtesy of the Louisiana History Museum)

Military parade in front of the Alexandria City Hall, November 11, 1941

Soldiers and friends on the grounds of the Alexandria, Louisiana City Hall during World War II

View looking north towards the Hotel Bentley in the 1950s, probably from the roof of the W.T. Grant store
(courtesy of Louisiana History Museum)

View from northwest in the 1950s, with the old Rapides Bank building to the left, Schwartzberg's Department Store in the distance, and the Murray Street entrance to W.T. Grant's on the right
(courtesy of Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission)

Alexandria Louisiana City Hall with "Merry Christmas" banner, December 1949
Hotel Bentley in background (Louisiana History Museum)

Alexandria, Louisiana City Hall, Christmas, early 1950s, with the Hotel Bentley to the right
(courtesy of Jane Norwood and the Louisiana History Museum)

Moving vans from Ellington Transfer & Storage at the "old" City Hall in the early 1960s

Historic Postcards of the "old" City Hall in Alexandria

Alexandria Louisiana City Hall

Alexandria Louisiana City Hall

Alexandria Louisiana City Hall

Alexandria Louisiana City Hall

Photographs of the "new" City Hall in Alexandria

In the early 1960s, a decision was made to demolish the existing City Hall, and build a "modern" city hall and convention hall in its place, at a cost of $1.5 million. Alexandria Mayor George W. Bowdon, Jr. presided over the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremonies. The Knights of Columbus raised the United States flag as part of the festivities.

Before the dedication, the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) had already used the new facility for its annual convention, and had 850 attendees seated in Convention Hall.

The new structure features underground parking, and was designed by the Alexandria architectural firm of Barron, Heinberg & Brocato.

Town Talk front page: "City Hall Will Open Friday" ... April 1, 1964 (archives of the author)

Front of the "new" Alexandria City Hall, Third Street facade, November, 2011 (photograph by the author)

Rear of the "new" Alexandria City Hall, 2nd Street facade with Guaranty Bank Building in the background
November, 2011 (photograph by the author)