Montevallo Jail - approx. 1915
We know that Montevallo's first jail was located on the bluff over Shoal Creek and that the seat of city government has been on this property ever since. The Montevallo Times advertised for bids for a new city hall in 1949 and within a year or two, the building you see here was constructed and opened to the public. In addition to the jail and city council chambers, the building housed the city clerk's office, the police department, the fire department, the city's water and gas boards, and the public library, which today we know as Parnell Library.
This photo was taken on Sunday, March 6, 1960, when the Montevallo Volunteer Fire Department held an Open House to celebrate the delivery of its new white Ford fire truck. This was an unusual color for a fire truck since red was more customary. The fire station and emergency siren at that time was located at the city hall building and adjacent to Montevallo Motor Co. The city's only firefighting equipment until then had been the vintage 1938 Peter Pirsch-built fire truck on a Chevrolet chassis which today's fire department in 2021 still owns and keeps running for use on special occasions.
Pictured left to right are: Milton Jeter (member), Harry Klotzman (member), Joe Meyer (member), Mr. Drake (Birmingham Civil Defense), Clay Nordan (11 year-old visitor on back of truck), Bill Pendleton (Chief), Dudley Pendleton (member), Harvey Rochester, (City Council), Mike Mahan (member), Cooper Shaw (member), and Clarence Chism (member). Others pictured at right: unidentified visitors.
Photo by Pat Wyatt.
This photo shows the Montevallo City Hall as it looked just prior to its demolition to make way for the newer building in operation today. At some point toward the end of its life, this building underwent a facelift that resulted in the significantly altered appearance you see here from its original facade. Over the years, most of the original agencies located in this building outgrew the available space and other accommodations had to be found for them on other city properties.
The handsome new City Hall as it looks today brought a much needed expansion of real estate for conducting city business. Parking and vehicular access is much more generous now and the spacious city council chamber and space for offices has created a more practical and professional atmosphere for the civic work that goes on here.
Thank you Clay Nordan, Vice President of the Montevallo Historical Society, this information!