The Village of Algonquin, IL
Welcome to the website for the Village of Algonquin!
History of Algonquin - Significant Sites & Structures - Historic Village Hall
Though Algonquin was originally settled in 1834, it was not incorporated as a village until 1890. When the population of the Village grew to 550 in 1900, community members felt the need for a Village Hall.
Elgin architect William W. Abel was hired and Blair and Summer of Janesville, WI constructed the first village hall for a total cost of $6,848. The 4,100 square foot building at 2 South Main Street was designed with elements of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style, Richardsonian Romanesque, and New England Shingle Style.
Originally, the first floor housed the sprinkling wagon, which was used to water down the dirt roads to reduce dust, the Fire Department, the Marshall's office, and the jail. The second floor was the council chamber, the clerk's office, and the vault.
Over the years, functions of the Village Hall changed. In 1921, a Village library was established and was also housed on the second floor until it moved to a newly constructed library building on Eastgate Drive in 1977. From 1950 to 1951, elementary school classes were held there due to overcrowding at the public school on Washington Street. The Fire Department became the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District in 1950 and moved to a new fire station on North Harrison Street.
As the population grew, so did the demand for services. Remodeling of the Village Hall took place in 1967, when the population soared to almost 4,000. In 1974, an additional 1,200 square feet were added for the police department and jail. By 1990, the population of our town was almost 12,000, and the Village Hall was busting at the seams.
In 1996, a new Village Hall was built at 2200 Harnish Dr. for municipal administrative offices and the police department. The old village hall was renovated to replicate the original building and is now known as Historic Village Hall more closely. Old Historic Village Hall, along with the Public Square, were dedicated as county landmarks in 1993. It currently houses the Algonquin Historic Commission and public meeting rooms.
Return to the History of Algonquin.
