Harrington Old City Hall

This is a rough draft of the text for my stop.  I am still trying to locate suitable pictures to use.

The old City Hall was completed in 1904 by the Burrill & Sisum Company for the cost of $9000.  The site for the building was chosen because it was on the edge of the business district of Harrington.  The two story building was constructed using buff-colored bricks with an edifice designed by Herman Preusse, an architect from Spokane, Washington.  The building included a bell tower, which was replaced by an air raid siren at a later date.  The City Hall building would also house the local jail, as well as the local fire station.

            The local jail records from 1910 through 1927 list the various people who were arrested, as well as the crime that they had committed.  The most common charge listed was the charge of drunkenness, followed by the charge of drunk and indecent.  Frank Janney was arrested on September 28, 1923 for whiskey possession.  Another charge that is found in the records is for obscene language.  John Farrell was arrested on July 30, 1914 on the charge of obscene language.  The last recorded record was for Pete Moore, on the charge of reckless driving.

            The functions of City Hall did not incorporate the entire building.  The fire department, as well as the Harrington Commercial Club called the building their home.  The Harrington Commercial club was formed in 1937 as a way for the officials of Harrington to enquire and fix the needs of the residents of Harrington.  The club soon evolved into helping people and livestock find housing when they came to Harrington, as well as helping organize and host local events.

            The building housed the City Hall until the 1970s, when it was turned into a pottery shop.  It was then turned into a residence house in 1977.