Working on steam engines and railway cars at the time induced a great fire hazard, but there was no city services to fight the blazes.

Aside from its town safety functions, the hall also provided a meeting place for citizens of the village and hosted a local museum.

The town hall maintained its functions until 1976 when it was re-designated the West Chicago City Museum.

[1] The two-story building is in the middle of a commercial block, though it was originally detached.

The tower, which projects slightly from the facade, has a secondary entrance and a single round top window.