The building located at 101 North Main Street served as Winnsboro’s first dedicated City Hall. Constructed in 1924, it replaced a system where local government space was leased from various downtown property owners.

Early History and Site Origins

Before the City Hall was built, the location at the southwest corner of Main and Broadway had several historical uses:

• 1879: M.D. Carlock Sr. owned and operated a grocery store at this location.

• Court Proceedings: Carlock also used the site to hold court as the Justice of the Peace for Wood County Precinct 4.

• Railroad Infrastructure: To the south was the Railway Express building, and approximately 100 feet west sat a large cypress wood water storage tank built in 1878 to service steam locomotives.

• Land Acquisition: The city eventually acquired the parcel of land for the building from the railroad in 1924.

Building Design and Original Layout (1924)

The facility was a modern brick and rock building designed to house multiple municipal services.

The First Floor

• Fire Station: Housed the city’s fire equipment.

• Fireman’s Apartment: A small residence for the town's only paid fireman, who also acted as the night watchman.

• City Jail: Located at the west end of the building, this replaced an older 18x18 timber "calaboose" previously located at Franklin and Elm streets.

• Public Restroom: A designated room at the northeast corner for women and children.

The Second Floor

• City Secretary’s Office: Located at the top of the stairs to the left for conducting daily city business.

• Executive Office: A shared office to the right of the stairs for the Mayor and the City Marshall.

• Community Space: A large area used as a Council chamber, courtroom, election polling place, and for general town meetings.

The Edelweiss Club Restroom

Because the city lacked the funds to operate a public restroom when the building opened, the Edelweiss Club stepped in to manage the facility.

• Lease Agreement: Mayor R.B. Howell and the council leased the room to the club for $1 a year starting in January 1925.

• Amenities: The club furnished the room with wicker furniture, rocking chairs, a baby bed, and a dressing table.

• Matrons: Alpha Thomas served as the matron from 1925 until 1947, followed by Birdie Robertson.

• Closure: As modern businesses began providing their own restrooms, patronage declined. The facility officially closed on June 1, 1959.

Transition and Modern Usage

The building ceased serving as City Hall in the early 1980s.

Late 1920s -- A two-story office annex was added as an armory for the American Legion.

1981 -- The building was put up for sale as city offices moved to a new City Hall on South Main.

1984 -- S-R Gun and Pawn operated at the location.

1985 -- Occupied by Classified Fashions (July) and EasTex Realty Company (October/December).

1993 -- Franklin National Bank opened in the building on February 6.

2004–2006 -- Franklin National Bank was acquired by Equity Bank (2004) and then sold to Franklin Bank, SSB (2006).

2008–2020 -- Prosperity Bank occupied the building until moving out in July 2020.

Today, the site includes a pocket park with benches, a fountain, and a landscaped area between the main building and the adjacent office annex.