City Hall Park, New York City

City Hall & Park, N.Y., looking north from the old Post Office. Copyright by 1894 by J.S. Johnston. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Construction of this City Hall palace began in May 1803. It was dedicated in 1811 and opened in 1812, when the city government moved from the old Federal Hall. The City Hall housed the three wings of the government: legislative, executive and judicial. The original copper roof of City Hall was replaced in 1853. In 1858, the City Hall was partly destroyed by fire. The roof and cupola, with the first sculpture of Justice on top, were destroyed, but rebuilt later. Today, the City Hall is a living museum and a national historic landmark in 1960.