The City of Auburndale was incorporated in 1911 and obtained a $60,000 bond in 1926 to construct a new city hall. Four proposed sites were presented as possible locations for the building until, after some indecisions, the City purchased a lot from Ephraim M. Baynard for $6,000. Designed by architect Rolland C. Buckley of Lakeland and constructed by Paul H. Smith, an Auburndale building contractor, the new city office opened in 1927. City Hall originally housed all municipal offices, including the Fire Department, City Clerk, City Manager, and Mayor on the first floor, while the second floor contained a courtroom, Council chambers, and a fireman's dormitory. It has also served as home to the Chamber of Commerce, Public Library, and Police Department, and provides a relatively rare and visually appealing example of the Italian Renaissance style made popular in New York by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White.