History of the Homestead Town Hall Museum
THE HOMESTEAD TOWN HALL
Built in 1917, the Homestead town Hall was the first municipal building in the town of Homestead.
The first two-story structure was designed and built by a well known Miami architect, H. Hastings Mundy.
John F. Umphrey, a Homestead resident, completed the construction. The lower level was designated to accommodate the fire department, jail cells, and the Police Chief's office. The upper level housed various municipal offices as well as the Council Chambers, which doubled as a courtroom. By 1925, Homestead's population had increased to qualify as a "city". This building remained the City Hall until 1975 when a new building was constructed at U.S.1 and Campbell Drive.
After the city government moved to its present location, the Town Hall remained functional for various municipal purposes until 1988. After much discussion at the council level, a decision was made to demolish the building and pave the area as a parking lot with a budget for the project of $20,083. Homestead preservationist rallied to the defense of this historic building and matched a State of Florida grant to restore and preserve this important part of Homestead's history.
The four panels of bricks displayed on the entrance wall represent this effort.
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ADMISSION. DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
You are invited to spend any afternoon with the museum director to share in her pleasure of telling and showing visitors our place in Florida history.
Ruth L. Campbell
Museum Director and Curator
"Homestead is Home"
Built in 1917, the Homestead town Hall was the first municipal building in the town of Homestead.
The first two-story structure was designed and built by a well known Miami architect, H. Hastings Mundy.
John F. Umphrey, a Homestead resident, completed the construction. The lower level was designated to accommodate the fire department, jail cells, and the Police Chief's office. The upper level housed various municipal offices as well as the Council Chambers, which doubled as a courtroom. By 1925, Homestead's population had increased to qualify as a "city". This building remained the City Hall until 1975 when a new building was constructed at U.S.1 and Campbell Drive.
After the city government moved to its present location, the Town Hall remained functional for various municipal purposes until 1988. After much discussion at the council level, a decision was made to demolish the building and pave the area as a parking lot with a budget for the project of $20,083. Homestead preservationist rallied to the defense of this historic building and matched a State of Florida grant to restore and preserve this important part of Homestead's history.
The four panels of bricks displayed on the entrance wall represent this effort.
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ADMISSION. DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
You are invited to spend any afternoon with the museum director to share in her pleasure of telling and showing visitors our place in Florida history.
Ruth L. Campbell
Museum Director and Curator
"Homestead is Home"