3-034-671 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new townhall, Rochdale, [Lancashire], 1871. 'This building, of which the foundation-stone was laid by Mr. John Bright, M.P., on March 31, 1866, has been formally opened this week...It is planned in three grand divisions, the two wings being at right angles with the principal building. This central part includes the exchange, lecture-room, grand staircase, large hall, and refreshment-rooms for public use on certain occasions. The east wing contains the town-council room, mayor's parlour, committee-rooms, and offices for the borough treasurer, surveyor, town clerk, rate collectors, and for other municipal purposes. The west wing is devoted to the magistrates and police, comprising a court-room, magistrates' rooms, police parade-room, dwelling for police superintendent, and prisoners' cells...The style adopted by the architect is of a similar character to that which obtained in England at the end of the fourteenth century, free use being made of the mullioned windows of many lights...The architect is Mr. W. H. Crossland...the contractors were Messrs. Warburton Brothers'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.