City Hall, Schenectady, NY

The official cornerstone for City Hall was laid on May 10, 1930 by Mayor Henry C. Fagal. It was designed by the NYC architect firm of McKim, Mead and White. During the opening ceremony, which lasted for nearly two hours, the Mayor said, "We must turn our eyes to the new Schenectady if we are going to keep pace with civilization." He commented that he hoped the local businessmen "will see the light of day and make improvements which should have taken place in this city long ago."

This grand building took over the whole block which had included an early Ellis Hospital and an earlier City Hall. The high costs of the magnificent building brought cries from political critics. (CUT about the cost.) Many called the building, "Fagal's Folly". Although Henry Fagal was defeated in 1931, he was reelected two years later.

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Historic photo

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Speaker: Wayne Harvey

 

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