Construction on Old City Hall began in 1886 from an architectural design by Alfred Eichberg, and was completed in 1889, with the installation of the clock/bell tower in 1893. The architectural style is “Richardsonian Romanesque”, with Queen Anne parallels. Massive in stature, with the unusual addition of Italianate brackets, Romanesque architecture was the style of choice for the majority of public buildings built in the United States during this period. Elaborate terra cotta friezes decorate our Old City Hall clock tower and side entries, while the corner columns adorned with gargoyles gaze welcomingly at you and your guests. 

As you look south to the foot of Newcastle Street, you will see the Sidney Lanier Bridge, Georgia’s tallest cable-stayed suspension bridge, which provides easy access to the Golden Isles from Interstate 95 (Exit 29). This beautiful structure is 7,780 feet long and 486 feet tall.  It contains 95,283 cubic yards of concrete and 14,810,095 pounds of reinforcing steel.  The current bridge was built as a replacement to the original lift bridge which was struck by ships twice. 

Each year in February, there is the annual 5k Bridge Run, sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System, when the south side of the bridge is closed to traffic and people register to run (or walk) the bridge.