Seneca in Nemaha County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
City Hall
Seneca’s City Hall was built on the site of the charming but combustible wooden firehouse. Completed in 1916 this Beaux Arts style building housed all City and County Offices, as well as the town library, and the police and fire departments.
City Hall was built for an extravagant $20,000 using pre-cast concrete columns, and brick and tile made in the Seneca Brick Works. The economic benefit of centralizing all city services, however, proved unsuccessful as each department quickly outgrew its space as the town prospered.
As new fire trucks were needed, the fire department moved to a modern firehouse across the street. Nemaha County offices moved north to a new building and the Seneca Library was relocated to the renovated and enlarged Old Stone Church on the opposite corner.
During World War II City Hall became an assembly center for women making first aid kits for the Red Cross and it was a collection point for scrap materials for the war effort.
Today Seneca’s Mayor presides at City Council meetings here and the daily noon siren sounds from the roof. A museum with Seneca’s antique Stutz Fire truck occupies the City Hall Firehouse space on the building’s west side. Bands of colored lights outline the building and are illuminated for holidays and parades.
Erected by City of Seneca and Kansas Humanities Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 39° 50.064′ N, 96° 3.826′ W. Marker is in Seneca, Kansas, in Nemaha County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 Main Street, Seneca KS 66538, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Buggy Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seneca Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Seneca Free Library (about 300 feet away); The Railroads (about 300 feet away); The First National Bank (about 400 feet away); The Smith Hotel (about 600 feet away); Pony Express Home Station (about 700 feet away); The Felt Block (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seneca.
Also see . . .
1. Seneca, Kansas. City website homepage (Submitted on May 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Seneca Main Street Historic District - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on March 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 30, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.