City Hall

[Steve DeGaetano]

My good Cousin Orville and I got to talking about a book we both own: Bicknells's Victorian Buildings. Both the Cousin and I noticed something familiar about one of the drawings. But before I go into that, I should go into some background:

Imagineer Harper Goff is credited with designing many of the Main Street buildings. He has stated that much of his inspiration was his home town of Fort Collins, Colorado. For example, he has said he based his design for the Disneyland City Hall on the Fort Collins Courthouse, shown below:



Now, I'm certain that many of you see the similarities between Fort Collins' and DL's City Hall. I can't deny them myself--if I squint a little.

But, as many of you may have gathered from my recent postings, I have a strong cynicism towards the Disney Company "dogma"--That whatever Disney says, is true.

I offer these prints in evidence: They show the Bay County Courthouse, Bay City, Michigan, as depicted in Bicknell's. I will let the designs speak for themselves:





Would it not be more likely that Mr. Goff had a copy of Bicknell's on his desk at the Studio as a reference, and that he designed Disneyland's iconic City Hall based on the one in Bay City, MI?

Here's Disneyland's City Hall, for reference:



You decide.

[PumpkinKing!]

I see more of his "inspiration" in the Bay City then in Fort Collins for sure!

[Wotan]

I wonder if the Bay City building done by the same architect as Fort Collins. It wouldn't have been unheard of.

Both styles are fairly similar.

[tahoebob54]

My good Cousin Orville and I got to talking about a book we both own: Bicknells's Victorian Buildings. Both the Cousin and I noticed something familiar about one of the drawings. But before I go into that, I should go into some background:

Imagineer Harper Goff is credited with designing many of the Main Street buildings. He has stated that much of his inspiration was his home town of Fort Collins, Colorado. For example, he has said he based his design for the Disneyland City Hall on the Fort Collins Courthouse, shown below:



Now, I'm certain that many of you see the similarities between Fort Collins' and DL's City Hall. I can't deny them myself--if I squint a little.

But, as many of you may have gathered from my recent postings, I have a strong cynicism towards the Disney Company "dogma"--That whatever Disney says, is true.

I offer these prints in evidence: They show the Bay County Courthouse, Bay City, Michigan, as depicted in Bicknell's. I will let the designs speak for themselves:





Would it not be more likely that Mr. Goff had a copy of Bicknell's on his desk at the Studio as a reference, and that he designed Disneyland's iconic City Hall based on the one in Bay City, MI?

Here's Disneyland's City Hall, for reference:



You decide.

If you look at both DL City hall and the Fort Collins Courthouse, you will see that both buildings have only one main door in the front. for this reason it has to be true. Nevermind that the tower is the same on DLCH and the one in Bay City, MI, It does not matter that the windows are the same also, or the roof. or all the other things designs that are the same. It all boils down to one front door!!!!!

[Steve DeGaetano]

Both styles are fairly similar.

I really don't see any similarities, aside from the Mansard roof central tower--and there, only by default.

(Edit: And, as tahoebob points out, the single entrance!).

Here are some details of the Bay County building. If you can find analogous similarities with the Fort Collins building, I'd love to see 'em:

[JiminyCricketFan]

After seeing the other designs, I really like the Disneyland City Hall. It is smaller so it looks to me more like a small town city hall. The other structures are so grand, than they draw so much attention to themselves. DL's City Hall some how fits with its surroundings so well.

I do see the similarities. Thanks for sharing that.

[Wotan]

Fort Collins and DL both have double mill work under the roof line. Bay City has continuous mill work.

Top story windows are both pointed in Fort Collins/DL, Bay City's are rounded on the top.

Fort Collins and DL both appear to have ground level windows under the first story windows.

Bay City and DL both have rounded top windows, and round stone work around the top of the windows.

So they've all got some similarities...

[Steve DeGaetano]

Fort Collins and DL both appear to have ground level windows under the first story windows.

DL does not have basement windows...

[Steve DeGaetano]

Top story windows are both pointed in Fort Collins/DL, Bay City's are rounded on the top.

I don't know...the top windows look pretty similar to me:

[Steve DeGaetano]

After seeing the other designs, I really like the Disneyland City Hall. It is smaller so it looks to me more like a small town city hall. The other structures are so grand, than they draw so much attention to themselves. DL's City Hall some how fits with its surroundings so well.

I do see the similarities. Thanks for sharing that.

I LOVE the DL City Hall! Architecturally, I think it looks better than both the "real" ones!

[Tom Chaney]

I LOVE the DL City Hall! Architecturally, I think it looks better than both the "real" ones!

In my mind, that is the whole point of Disneyland... to make a place based on real life... but better!

[Cousin Orville]

Of course it looks better, it was scaled down and the details were condensed. it's darn CUTE!

[PragmaticIdealist]

I know that what I'm about to say is off-topic, but I just noticed that there are signs painted in the upper-story windows of Disneyland City Hall. That show element does not seem correct.

A city hall would not house businesses.

Does anyone know when those window signs were added?

[barfownz]

The top looks the same.

[Alchimedes]

Interesting information, and comparisons. I love this, more to learn, more to learn.