Long Branch City Hall History
Most Long Branch residents know their City Hall — a fortress-like structure set boldly on Broadway. For over 130 years the site has been the focal point of municipal government. Over its storied history, Long Branch has had two town halls — located near each other.
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To finally get a home for government, it took “an aroused citizenry to demand that a decent municipal hall be provided” in 1890, according to the late Howard K. Hayden, a respected Long Branch historian (1931-1984). Prior to that city leaders caucused on the top floor of the Atlantic firehouse on Broadway.
Finally, in May 1891, David Henry of Patterson, NJ won a $19,700 contract to build a “public hall.” The town’s first governing body, the Long Branch Commission, was formed in 1867, but the building was credited with being “Ocean Township’s hall.” Long Branch would not take official control until May 1905 upon its incorporation as a city.
The majestic, three-story, red-brick building oozed with Victorian charm. Functioning as civic center and jail while Long Branch population quadrupled, it was a beehive of human activity. Hailed as the “Grand old lady of Long Branch,” it sported a 700-pound bell in its turret, had a 600-seat meeting hall and was home to county district court until 1966 (when moved to the old Garfield-Grant Hotel).
As post-WW II city population boomed, an Annex was built in the early 1960s. Busting at the seams, the city council finally adopted a bond ordinance in October 1972 to construct a new city hall. After 18 months of delays — while city officials, merchants, and residents debated about the best location — construction began in May 1974.
The 32,600-square-foot brick public building was designed by Uniplan Associates of Princeton and built by Hall Construction Company of Little Silver. The project’s final cost was $2.7 million. By November 1975, city government was operating in the new Broadway facility. The city’s growing police department moved in early 1976 taking command of the ground floor.
“Long Branch is a city of contrasts.”
—Long Branch Daily Record, December 1965
The new three-story city hall was dedicated in July 1976 during a Long Branch-American Bicentennial celebration. At the time, Henry R. Cioffi was city mayor, Dr. Sal J. Prezioso was city administrator, and Jennie DeFazio was city clerk.
Frequently called “ancient” and “outmoded” in its time, when old city hall was demolished in June 1976, “hardly anyone came by to see.” Mazza & Sons wrecked the old lime and sandstone Broadway landmark — which had been rotting away for years. “A pleasant contrast from the ancient building next door to it,” claimed a November 1975 Red Bank Daily Register editorial.
Within 6 months the building was exhibiting design flaws and related problems. The issue went on for years. In early 1988, both the Asbury Park Press and Atlanticville newspapers ran hard-hitting stories on how the 12-year-old city hall “was falling apart.” Water being the chief damage component. It didn’t helped that both builder and architect had gone bust.
As to City Hall appearance comparisons — I believe a return to the past is far preferable. Any look at an old City Hall image, begs for its return. That structure was the very definition of a “building with character.” Today’s Long Branch City Hall is monolithic. It’s appearance prison-like and quite unwelcoming.
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City Hall Notes:
• “L. Francis Bonello Exhibit” at Long Branch City Hall on Broadway. This unique display of US Presidents was donated to the city by his sons (Francis, John and Richard) in 1976. The American leaders are cast as 2-foot-high statues in hand-painted plaster. The lobby case display includes presidents up to Gerald Ford (#38). Bonello, a city native and Monmouth Medical Center construction superintendent, died in January 1972.
• On working at city hall: “The office of Mayor of Long Branch has been no bed of roses for sometime past.” —The Daily Standard, February 1901 … “Anyone familiar with the history of Long Branch politics knows that the mayor’s job is difficult.” —Red Bank Daily Register, July 1967 … “It’s not easy being a member of Long Branch’s governing body.” —Red Bank Daily Register, July 1978.
Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, 1905. Visible here — the bell hung in the turret for 80 years.
Long Branch City Hall, 1905.
50 Years Ago — Memorial Day ceremony outside old City Hall on Broadway, Long Branch Daily Record, May 1975.
Town Talk — Mayor John Pallone speaking on the steps of Long Branch City Hall, August 2024.
New City Hall sketch proposal, Long Branch Daily Record, 1953. This never-to-be project had a $450,000 price tag. West End architect James Mancuso did the design.
Clay Chief — President US Grant statue at City Hall on Broadway (L. Francis Bonello Exhibit), 2022.
Old — Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, 1912.
New — Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, March 2014.
Long Branch City Hall, 1904.
Long Branch City Hall, 1905.
Long Branch City Hall, 1906.
Old Long Branch City Hall, 1906.
“Long Branch Municipal Building” sign on Broadway, 2019.
Long Branch City Hall council chambers, January 2023.
Long Branch City Hall on, September 2022.
Portuguese Heritage Day — hosted by the city and the Portuguese Club of Long Branch — is held outside City Hall on Broadway, June 2023 (Al William Photo).
Long Branch City Hall, early 1900s.
Long Branch City Hall, early 1900s.
Long Branch City Council chambers — Student Government Night, November 2022.
Park Place — The house of Haslam Slocum is moved from is former location at the corner of Broadway and Slocum Place, Long Branch Daily Record, July 1961. The 7-room home — bequeathed to the city by Slocum — was placed behind city hall for use by the City Clerk as municipal offices. The vacant land became Slocum Park.
New York & Long Branch Rail Road train passing through the city, 1894. Old Long Branch City Hall tower on Broadway is visible at back left.
Long Branch City Hall, 2022.
Long Branch City Hall, 1940s.
LB City Hall, 1975.
LB City Hall, 1905.
LB City Hall, 1920s.
Old LB City Hall council meeting room. Red Bank Register, July 1976.
LB City Hall, 1907.
LB City Hall, 1890s. The building next door was the Jacob J. Garrabrandt wallpaper and paint business. A Hamilton, NJ native, he sold the propriety to the city in 1906 and died in 1910.
LB City Hall, 1905. The city acquired land on Joline Avenue in 1975 to build a new municipal garage.
LB City Hall, 1930s.
LB City Hall, 1940s.
LB City Hall, 1940s.
LB City Hall, 1972.
LB City Hall, 1976.
Bell is removed from LB City Hall prior to demolition, 1976.
Plaque dedicated to the old bell that hung in City Hall for a century, 1974 (Long Branch Public Library Photograph Collection).
New City Hall at the time of dedication. Red Bank Register, June 1976. Within 6 months the building was experiencing serious design flaws and problems.
LB City Hall, 2018.
LB City Hall, 1977.
LB City Hall, 2020.
New LB City Hall council chambers, 2018.
New LB City Hall council chambers. Red Bank Register, July 1976.
Mayor Henry Cioffi outside new City Hall. Red Bank Register, November 1975. Mayor Cioffi was a “man of Napoleonic height and pride,” according the Red Bank Daily Register reporter Andrew Sheehan in May 1982.
Asbury Park Press story, November 1975.
