474 Broadway
City Hall
History of 474 Broadway: Built in 1871, this High Victorian Italianate building was topped by a bell and clock tower for over 60 years. The bell had been used to record time, sound fire alarms, and as the call to war and at the end of war. Town Hall was built according to the laws of that year. The town supervisor was to be in charge of the building and set apart certain areas for village and town offices and then rent the remainder. The village of Saratoga Springs was governed by a board of trustees and by 1915 had 13 trustees on the board.
In 1915, the village of Saratoga Springs and the town of Saratoga Springs formed the city of Saratoga Springs. The adopted charter gave the city a commission form of government, comprising of a mayor and four commissioners elected autonomously and each having a single vote on the council.
The first officials were:
- Walter P. Butler Mayor
- Michael J. Mulqueen Commissioner of Accounts
- N.R. Thompson Commissioner of Public Works
- William B. Milliman Commissioner of Public Safety
In 1934, the tower and bell were removed for safety reasons. The two lion statues at the front of the building, “Nobility” and “Magnanimity,” were removed during the renovations and moved to the east and west side recreation fields.
City Hall’s first floor houses the Council Chambers, Mayor’s Office, Accounts Office and the Finance Office. The second floor finds Court Room, Court Offices and Public Safety Offices (in 1878, the American Bar Association was established in Town Hall). The third floor houses the Music Hall, and the Public Works Office and the Police Department are on the lower level.
In 2008, the front steps and entry door were renovated and the two lions were returned to their original home.
A wonderful 100 years to the City of Saratoga Springs.
The Centennial Series
The city of Saratoga Springs was chartered on April 7, 1915. In celebration of our 100 years this summer, Roohan Realty brings you “The Centennial Series,” featuring the history of local properties – from origin to what we see today.
Do you own a historic property or know one you’d like to see featured? Submit an inquiry and our contributing writer will contact you.
