Philadelphia’s City Hall is the largest municipal structure in the United States, with over 14.5 ac (6 ha) of floor space.It was completed in 1894. It took about two years to complete, with 14 parts being cast.City Hall, the 548 ft (167 m) tower, is the world’s tallest masonry structure without a steel frame and was the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1987. It is topped by a famed monument of Philadelphia founder William Penn.The city’s founder, William Penn, laid out the location of the building 200 years ago. Between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, he formed the Province of Pennsylvania in 1681, and designed the city of Philadelphia in a grid pattern. He set aside five plots of land for public spaces in the center, including a Centre Square for public buildings; the future site of City Hall.Intrigued to know more such fun facts? Check out our articles on William And Mary facts and William B Travis factsHistoric Facts About William Penn StatueThe Designer of the statue was a Scottish immigrant Alexander Milne Calder who learned at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.Calder was brilliant in his work. He and his son created some of the most beautifully adorned buildings in America. He requested that the statue face south so that sunlight would light up its face during the day.Eventually, it was placed facing northeast. So the question arises, when it was set on its perch in 1894, how did it end up looking northeast?A paper from the time reports that the statue is placed in such a way the eyes are gazing toward Treaty Park, the site of Penn’s remarkable encounter and negotiation with the natives of the forest, and the area where the foundations of the longest peace ever kept between Native Americans and European settlers took place.The Public Buildings Commission decided to face it in the northeast direction as they held the north side of City Hall. Calder, with the support of the Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board, argued vehemently that the statue should be turned around to face south so that it might be viewed better. But, as history has demonstrated, this never happened, and the statue’s gaze remains fixed on Treaty Park.The statue of William Penn was erected in 1886 and afterward dismantled in 47 pieces. In 1893, the monument was brought to City Hall’s courtyard, where it was assembled and placed on display for citizens to admire.When it was finished in 1892, the figure stood 37 ft (11.2 m) tall and weighed 27 tons (24,494 kg), making it the world’s largest bronze sculpture. The majestic monument was raised to the top of the 548 ft (167 m) City Hall, after a two-year display in the courtyard, where it remained forever.City Hall’s designers, notably Scottish architect John McArthur, Jr., aimed for it to be the world’s tallest building when it was finished.Surprising Facts About William Penn StatueBetween the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, William Penn formed the Province of Pennsylvania in 1681, he also designed the city of Philadelphia in a grid pattern and the architectural style of the structures.After hammering out treaties with the Lenape Native Americans, William Penn founded Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He’s the reason that the streets of Center City form a nearly-perfect grid.Penn’s ‘Prayer for Philadelphia’, which he wrote down before leaving for England, is engraved on a plaque inside City Hall.Surprisingly there has been a curse attached to the famous Penn statue. Since the March 1987 building of the One Liberty Place skyscraper, which topped the height of William Penn’s hat atop Philadelphia City Hall, the Billy Penn Curse has been a popular theory regarding why major professional sports teams situated in Philadelphia have failed to win championships. Once, no building in Philadelphia was authorized to be taller than the William Penn statue on City Hall.Despite the curse, when Philadelphia sports teams reach the championship round of their league, Penn’s statue is sometimes decorated to celebrate the team’s victory.Workers John Joyce and Dan Ginion placed a small statue of William Penn on the beam in an attempt to break the curse. After the initial William Penn figurine was stolen, a smaller figure was substituted.Things To Know Before You Visit ItBefore you make a visit to the City Hall there are certain things you need to keep in mind.The original City Hall building was located at 2nd and Market Streets, but when the Independence Hall complex was created, it was relocated to 5th and Chestnut Streets. The City Council Chamber, Conversation Hall, the Mayor’s Reception Room, and the Supreme Court Room are among the most ornate in the city.As of July 2021, guided tours of the exterior of the facility are available, with inside visits and the observation deck on hold due to COVID-19.Significance Of William Penn StatueThe Philadelphia City Hall is one of the most honored architectural structures in the United States.The American Institute of Architects compiled data in 2007 to determine the top 150 most admired works of American architecture, and Philadelphia City Hall came in at number 21. In 1976, the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. In 2006, it was also designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It is by far considered the largest municipal building. Despite being deemed ‘ugly’ once, the building remained.From 1894-1908, Philadelphia City Hall was the world’s tallest occupied building, at 548 ft (167 m) tall, and includes a monument of city founder William Penn. The building was constructed during a 30-year period, from 1871-1901, and has 700 rooms of government offices.The building highlights a vast range of subjects, including historical, allegorical, mythological, people and animals from all across the world, and figures that represent knowledge and qualities, virtues, and vices. A Moses keystone over the South portal, symbolizing law and justice, and a pair of Swedish settlers located immediately above the clock level, symbolizing the area’s earliest European occupants, are just two examples.Did You Know…City Hall is 120 years oldThe statue’s entire restoration cost around $250,000.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for William Penn statue facts, then why not take a look at William Blake facts or William Byrd facts.
Philadelphia’s City Hall is the largest municipal structure in the United States, with over 14.5 ac (6 ha) of floor space.
