Holly Hill City Hall 75th Anniversary

The City of Holly Hill was incorporated July 1,1901,with a population of around 200 people. It weathered storms and land boom collapses,but after the Stock Market crash in 1929 caused a downward spiralinto the Great Depression the town was in survival mode. Volusia County beach areas experienced a renewed growth in the mid-thirties driven by a rebounding tour ist economy. The population of Holly Hill increased from 1,146 to 1,665 between 1930 and 1940. Part of the depression era growth was due to the federal re­ lief programs known as the New Deal. This was a series of federal programs to improve the nation's infra­ structure by constructing buildings,conserving natural resources,creating recreational facilities,and providing jobs for the unemployed. Among the many programs was the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Holly Hill residents and officials watched as Daytona Beach's city government received thousands of New Deal dollars to assemble a fashionable oceanfront Bandshell,Boardwalk, Clock Tower & other projects. Holly Hill soon turned to WPA to help improve streets and buid a new municipal building. The State also used WPA to help build the 2nd Street Market on land deeded to them by Holly Hill.

Holly Hill funded the construction of the municipal building with bond issues and  labor paid by WPA. The town approved the proj_ect in 1936 and hired Daytona Beach architect Alan J. MacDonough to design the building. The town's officials approved MacDonough's plans for the coquina building in November 1939 and carpenter George E. Somers was assigned as Superintendent of Construction. Somers secured the na­ tive stone from a quarry north of Ormond Beach and laid the cornerstonein 1940. Local WPA laborers completed the project at a cost of $150,000 in 1942.

Holly Hill officials in office during the period included Mayor A lex D. Littlefield and Aldermen B. M. Beach,A.

1942. Bean,E. E. Cole and H. E. Smith. The town dedicated the building on September 7, 1942.

The upperlevelof the building faced Ridgewood Avenue while the ground floor faced Daytona Avenue and housed the Police Dept. and the Fire Dept. A gymnasium dominated the upper levelwhich included a stage for programs and pageants. The upper level was converted to much needed office space in the 90's and was called City Hall. The exterior of the building remained essentially unchanged.

In 1993 this building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was noted for its architecture and engineering. The enineering obviously referred to the use of local coquina stone with which the local workers were familiar in its application to construction. Thearchitect MacDonough and superintendent Somers were also involved with the Bandshell and 2nd Street Market projects.

Holly Hill also used WPA funds to pave some streets and to employ 105 laborers for ten months improving drainage canals.

During a project commissioned by Volusia County called “Take Part” it was called the most beautifulcity hall in Volusia County.

Send us any memories or photos of City Hall that you have to the museum or to hh/Jistoricsociety@yalloo.com