Old City Hall

Old City Hall in Philadelphia, built in 1790 and 1791 in the Federal style and designed by David Evans, Jr., became significant both locally and nationally. Though intended as the city’s municipal hall, from 1791 to 1800 it housed the Supreme Court of the United States while Philadelphia was the national capital, with Chief Justices John Jay, John Rutledge, and Oliver Ellsworth presiding there. After the federal government moved to Washington, D.C., the building continued as Philadelphia’s city hall until 1854. Its history ties it to the early national government, the Supreme Court’s formative years, and Philadelphia’s civic administration.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · United States