Austin Town Hall

In 1865 businessman and real estate speculator Henry W Austin created a lovely 280 acre subdivision in Cicero Township Austin s development included wide tree lined streets and a small park originally known as Holden Park The township selected Austin as its seat of government and in 1870 constructed a brick town hall building with a cupola and eclectic details in the center of Holden Park In 1898 Austinites having a majority on Cicero s town council used political influence to allow the extension of the Lake Street elevated line into their community This infuriated residents of other areas within Cicero Township such as Oak Park and Berwyn who retaliated the following year by holding a joint election to force Austin s annexation to the City of Chicago Much to the dismay of local residents this effort succeeded and Austin became part of Chicago in 1899 The city took over the Cicero Town Hall and began using it as a library and police station as well as for other public functions