original 19th century milwaukee city hall building interior office door "letters" mailslot with bower-barff finish

milwaukee city hall building was designed by architect henry c. koch in the flemish renaissance revival style, based on both german precedent and the pabst building (1891-1981). the structure’s foundation consists of 2,584 white pine piles that were driven into the marshy land surrounding the milwaukee river. the building rises eight stories, with massive tower rising to 350 feet, with its clock faces flanked by four "beer stein" turrets, and topped by a copper-clad spire. the upper part of the tower was rebuilt after a fire in october 1929. the interior features a 20 x 70-foot open atrium, which rises eight stories tall and is topped by a skylight. the tower holds a single bourdon bell named after solomon juneau, milwaukee's first mayor. it was designed and crafted by the campbells, who were early pioneers in creating diving chambers and suits near the great lakes area during that time. the bell weights 22,500 pound and was hoisted in the tower in 1896, first chiming on new year's eve.