Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale Town Hall is a town hall in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England that houses much of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale's government and administrative functions. Completed by architect William Henry Crossland in 1871, it is one of the United Kingdom's finest examples of Victorian Gothic revival architecture.cite book | last = Cunningham| first = C | authorlink = | title = Victorian & Edwardian Town Halls | year = 1981 | publisher = Routeledge | location = London | id = ]

A major landmark for Rochdale, the building is a Grade I listed building. [cite web|title=Town Hall, Rochdale|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=358886&mode=quick|publisher=Images of England|accessdate=2007-12-22]

The original clock tower, which rose to convert|240|ft|m|1, was destroyed by fire in 1883. The present shorter (and less flamboyant) tower was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1887.

The stained glass window on the south side is said to have been admired by Adolf Hitler who, an American academic believed, wanted to ship the building, brick-by-brick, to Germany had the Nazis won World War II. [cite web|url=http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/518/518474_amazing_windows_always_a_glass_act.html|title=Amazing windows always a glass act|author=Anon|publisher=rochdaleobserver.co.uk|date=2006-10-07|accessdate=2007-12-22]

The front of the town hall has gargoyles and gilded statues of lions which bear traditional emblems of Rochdale, Lancashire and Yorkshire. These are said to be a commemoration of the peace, to which Rochdale contributed, between the two historic counties.Fact|date=December 2007

It was on the balcony of this building that Rochdale's own Gracie Fields received the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to crowds of thousands who turned out to greet her in the pouring rain.Fact|date=December 2007

ee also

*Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester

References