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Pawtucket City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket City Hall was completed in 1935 and is an outstanding example of the Art Deco architectural style. It was designed by architect John F. O’Malley. This prominent landmark is also significant as an early example of the consolidated city hall, housing all city department headquarters within a single building. This consolidation was a novel idea at the time and is perhaps symbolic of Mayor Thomas P. McCoy’s (served 1937-1945) firm grip on all aspects of the city’s government in the 1930s. The central tower of the building is 209 feet high and is capped with a tomahawk weathervane. The tower originally bore an elaborate cast-stone ornamentation of eagles leaning out on each corner, but these were allowed to deteriorate, and one eagle fell in 1974. In 2005, the City Hall tower was repaired and restored, but without the corner eagles.
The facade of the main block displays twelve cast-stone bas-relief panels that depict people, buildings, scenes, and events from Pawtucket’s history. The panels depict St. Mary’s Church, the Jencks forge, Pawtucket Falls, Slater Mill, Joseph Jencks’ House, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frederic Sayles (Pawtucket’s first mayor), Pidge Tavern, Town Hall, Main Street, the first railroad station, and the First Baptist Church. Memorials dedicated to the fallen Pawtucket policemen and firemen stand near the front of each respective department. Buried in front of the building is a time capsule, placed here in 1986 during Pawtucket’s Centennial Celebration. It will be opened in 2036, then re-sealed and rededicated for Pawtucket's Bicentennial in 2086.
Personally Pawtucket Tour_2023
Written by Heritage Alliance of Pawtucket/Neighborhood Heritage Series
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Pawtucket, a vibrant city in Rhode Island, USA, has a rich history and offers diverse attractions and experiences. Pawtucket was first settled by European colonists in the early 17th century. The city quickly thrived due to its convenient location along the Blackstone River, which provided water power for mills and other industries. Pawtucket became a major center for textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution, leading to substantial growth and prosperity.
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Pawtucket experienced rapid industrialization. It became renowned for its textile mills, which produced cotton, wool, and textiles. These mills shaped the city's identity and played a significant role in American history and the economy.
Inventions and Innovations
Pawtucket became a hub for innovation and inventions during the 19th century. Notably, Samuel Slater, often referred to as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution," established the first successful water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket in 1793. This event marked a turning point in the industrialization of the United States.
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savehistoricpawtucketcityhall@gmail.com
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