[3] It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973, as a rare well-preserved example of a 19th-century multifunction civic and commercial building.

On 27 December 1855, while the new building was under construction, the existing city hall on Conti and Jackson Street burned.

A new council chamber was added above a new second floor bridge connecting the front and back of the central sections.

Also, murals by John Walker depicting scenes from local Mobile history were painted at this time.

[3] The complex was damaged by Hurricane Frederic on 12 September 1979, causing the tenants at that time to vacate the building.

[3] The complex is Italianate style in design and comprises four rectangular sections connected by three arcaded passageways.

The ground floor of the south wing once housed stalls and shops for the market, but has since been altered to enclose the space.