In the year 1834 a Town Hall was built at the corner of Harris Promenade and Penitence Street. It was a wooden construction and not intended to be a permanent structure. In 1931, owing to the fact that it was fast becoming unsatisfactory, it was replaced by another one in the same year. This was built on the site of the former one which is still being used today and is a building that undoubtedly will be used for many decades to come.
The design was done by an English firm H.B.W. Brinsley and Sons, and the builder was Raymond Farfan and Co. In 1930, a foundation stone was laid by the then Governor, Sir Alfred Claud Hollis, K.C.M.G., C.B.E.
Looking at the Town Hall from the front, it would seem as though there are two floors. However, this is not so, there being three floors. On the front of the Town Hall are huge pillars which seem to indicate Roman influence. Many ornamental shrubs are found around the building, especially at the front. The back of the Town Hall is mainly occupied by offices and owing to the lack of space a row of additional offices have been built at the rear. The Town Hall is rather unique in that the roof is shingled and there is on top of it a huge clock and a weathercock. The walls of the chamber are adorned with pictures of past Mayors and Mayoresses.
It is amazing to note that the Town Hall was used mainly as a Council Room,
while today in the new Town Hall there are many different sections such as the
Accounts and Engineers Section, a Borough Section, a Health Section, Rates,
Audit, Payroll and Town Clerk's office. There is also the Mayor's office, and
a section where draughtsmen are found and where plans for new buildings are
approved.
Source: San Fernando - "An Historic Mile"