City Hall c. 1912
London's old City Hall was on Richmond Street.  Built in 1855 so the newly incorporated city would have some added dignity, it was made of white brick with cut stone trim and three cupolas.  Samuel Peters was the architect. Years later, tragedy struck. On Monday January 3, 1898 a large crowd gathered on the second floor auditorium to celebrate the election of Mayor John D. Wilson.  Suddenly, the floor gave way, tossing 250 people to the ground floor below.  A five hundred pound safe slid down on top of the folks, crushing many of the victims.  A total of twenty-three people  died; 150 were injured. The Old City Hall was converted to a bank in 1911 and demolished in 1969.
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More Information:  London 200 An Illustrated History by Orlo Miller The Forest City A Illustrated History of London, Canada by Frederick H. Armstrong

The London and Middlesex Historical Society