In February I had the opportunity to tour this old building before its demolition in November 2012.
The building was erected in the early 1900’s -I believe 1911- and had a mural that was a detail of Washington Crossing the Delaware that was water damaged from a roof leak.
Empty City Council chambers.
Dark rooms with only window light.
Turn of the century arches.
Close-up of the mural and the water damage.
Detail of damage below the mural.
Darken hallway leading up to the second floor.
Door into the old jail.
Door into a jail cell.
Bathroom area in the jail.
Leaving the jail behind.
The older basement detention/jail area of city hall.
Close-up of the containment area of the older jail in the basement.
Door into the old Fire Department.
I’m sorry that my photographs were not of a better quality of the interior of the building. There was no electricity in the building. The light was very low or nonexistent and I was overwhelmed by the experience and had a hard time of recording what I saw and felt. (Maybe that’s for another blog post). I had planned on going back and shooting the interior again but never made the opportunity happen. Now it is all history and memories. Like the song Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel. Time it was, and what a time it was. It was a time of innocence, a time of confidences. Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph. Preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you!
The Ohio Expressionist 