Martinsville City Hall was built in 1917 during a Democrat administration. On February 23, 1917, the Martinsville Democrat trumpeted "SOME BIG DOINGS AT THE COUNCIL": There were some big doings at the City Council Monday night and some plans started that will make a big change and big improvement in our municipal life --history in fact. Why, just think: we are going to have a City Hall--a stately building (not in harmony with the county capitol--the court house--but one in harmony with the city's better enterprises).

Plans for the new City Hall included a permanent home for the fire department, which had just purchased its first motorized fire truck. The building also contained the council chamber; mayor's office; offices for the clerk, treasurer and city engineer; and an assembly room on the second floor. The contract for the new building was let to W. W. Wilson. The total cost was estimated to be $24,336.58.

The city Republicans opposed the construction of a new City Hall during wartime and complained bitterly about the Democrats' excessive and insensitive expenditure. Construction commenced and continued through 1917, and by January 1, 1918, the Democrats had been thrown out of office without ever taking up residence in the building they built. Today, the building continues to house the city offices and the police department.

August 25, 2009 was the last day a shift was worked at the former Fire Station at 59 S. Jefferson St.




On August 26, 2009 the first shift was worked at the new station located at 160 W. Morgan St.