Seattle, Washington / History
Old Georgetown City Hall
A stately 1909 dark red brick landmark that once served as the administrative heart of Georgetown before its annexation by Seattle in 1910.
What is the Old Georgetown City Hall known for?
It is a historic landmark and representative of Georgetown that was the first building in the area to feature both hot and cold running water.
What does the building currently house?
The landmark currently serves as a Neighborcare Health dental clinic for uninsured and low-income people.
What is the history of the Old Georgetown City Hall?
Built in 1909 and designed by Victor W. Voorhees, the building originally housed the city offices, council chambers, jail, and the police and fire departments. It was constructed shortly before Georgetown was annexed by Seattle in 1910.
What does the architecture look like?
It is a two-story dark red brick structure featuring white brick quoins, an unusual stone entablature, and a prominent clock tower.
Where is it located?
The building is located in Georgetown at 13th and Stanley avenues south.
What should I check before going?
Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.
What to know
The Old Georgetown City Hall is a striking two-story structure of dark red brick, designed by architect Victor W. Voorhees in 1909. The building's architecture is distinguished by white brick quoins and an unusual stone entablature, giving it a stately presence at the corner of 13th and Stanley avenues south. It was uniquely positioned as the first building in Georgetown to feature both hot and cold running water, a luxury of its time. Originally, this facility served as a comprehensive government hub, housing the police department, the fire department, the jail, city offices, and council chambers. Its construction coincided with a period of rapid growth for the community, which had been an independent city from 1904 until its annexation to Seattle in the spring of 1910. Some locals at the time felt the new building was part of a shady scheme to facilitate this absorption into the larger city. Over the decades, the landmark has remained a prominent fixture of the neighborhood, most notably for its clock tower, which has been a local staple for over a century. In 1983, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its preservation. Recent restoration work has focused on masonry, the roof, and the clock tower's movement assembly to maintain its structural integrity. Today, the building has transitioned from a center of power to a center of care. It currently serves as a Neighborcare Health dental clinic, providing essential healthcare services to low-income and uninsured residents of the community it once governed.
Visitor tips
- Look up at the clock tower to see the results of recent restoration work on the movement assembly.
- Observe the white brick quoins on the corners of the red brick walls for a great architectural detail.
- Since the building is now a dental clinic, please be mindful of patients entering and exiting the building.
Nearby context
Located at the intersection of 13th and Stanley avenues south, this landmark stands as a testament to the early industrial development of the Georgetown neighborhood, which by 1905 already hosted major operations like the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company.
Sources
Evidence and links
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Seattle.gov Home
Official city government site. Citizen, business, and visitor information sections, plus city government information.
seattle.gov -
Case Study: Restoring the Historical Old Georgetown City Hall - C & R
Charter Construction recently partnered with NeighborCare Health to restore the Old Georgetown City Hall building, a historic landmark that…
candrmagazine.com -
Georgetown - Revisiting Washington
Georgetown was annexed into Seattle in the spring of 1910. Read More ...
revisitwa.org -
Old Georgetown City Hall - Clio
Built in 1909, this dark red-bricked building originally held the fire and police departments, jail, city offices, and council chambers.
theclio.com -
Old Georgetown City Hall | AMERICAN HERITAGE
A dark red brick two story building with white brick quoins and an unusual stone entablature, the Georgetown City Hall was the first buildi…
americanheritage.com -
Seattle Now & Then: City Hall, Georgetown, 1910
The Georgetown district's slightly flatiron-shaped city hall at 13th and Stanley avenues south, its steeple intact, is shown in 1910, the y…
pauldorpat.com