Long Branch City Hall History
LB …
The location has been the focal point of municipal government for more than 130 years now. Long Branch — during its rich and storied history — has had a couple of town halls. Both located near each other on Broadway.
But 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).
In May 1891, David Henry of Patterson, NJ was awarded a contract to build a “public hall” for $19,700, according to the Red Bank Daily Register. Although the Long Branch Commission was running things in town since 1867, the building was credited with being “Ocean Township’s hall.” After becoming a city, Long Branch took official control of the building in May 1905.
Hailed as the “grand old lady of Long Branch,” the three-story, red brick building just oozed with Victorian charm. Functioning as civic center (and jail) while Long Branch population was quadrupling, it was a beehive of human activity. Although it disappeared quickly — frequently called “ancient” and “outmoded” in its time — any look at an old city hall image begs for its return. That structure is the very definition of a “building with character!” (Prior to its construction city commissioners met on the top floor of the Atlantic firehouse on Broadway.)
“Long Branch is a city of contrasts.”
—Long Branch Daily Record, December 1965
As the city’s population ballooned in the post-WW II years, an Annex was added in the early 1960s. By October 1972 the city council had adopted a bond ordinance to construct a new city hall. After 18 months of delays while city officials, merchants, and residents debated about the best location, construction finally began in May 1974. Final construction cost was $2.7 million; yielding a 32,600-square-foot brick public building. Hall Construction Company of Little Silver built it and Uniplan Associates of Princeton was the architect. 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.
The new three-story city hall was officially dedicated in July 1976 in conjunction with the Long Branch-American Bicentennial celebration. During this time, Henry R. Cioffi was city mayor, Dr. Sal J. Prezioso was city administrator, and Jennie DeFazio was city clerk. On the day old city hall was demolished in June 1976, according to a Asbury Park Press report, “hardly anyone came by to see.” Mazza & Sons wrecked the old lime and sandstone Broadway landmark — which had been rotting away for years.
• Long Branch City Clerk History — HERE
Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, 1905. “It’s not easy being a member of Long Branch’s governing body.” Red Bank Daily Register, July 1978.
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.
Old — Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, 1912.
New — Long Branch City Hall on Broadway, March 2014.
Long Branch City Hall, 1904. The first hall had a 600-seat gallery.
Long Branch City Hall, 1905. A 700-pound bell hung in the turret for 80 years.
Long Branch City Hall, 1906.
Long Branch City Hall, 1905.
Old Long Branch City Hall, 1906. Monmouth County District Court was held on the second floor of city hall, according to a May 1964 Long Branch Daily Record story.
“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. “A pleasant contrast from the ancient building next door to it,” according to a November 1975 Red Bank Daily Register editorial.
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.
