2. San Francisco City Hall

City Hall in San Francisco, which took 27 years to build, lasted only 6 more.  A distinctive edifice with domes and a columned facade, construction started in 1872 and was completed in 1899.  It suffered major structural damage from the earthquake, an indication according to some that many corners were cut during its lengthy construction.

“New” San Francisco City Hall

A new Beaux-Arts style City Hall, with a dome taller than the US Capitol, was completed in 1915 a few blocks away as part of the Civic Center project. The 1915 City Hall was damaged by the major earthquake that hit San Francisco in October 1989, but unlike in 1906 it could be repaired.  The site of the old City Hall is now occupied by the San Francisco Main Library.