A historic landmark was dedicated 100 years ago this month.

The Bogalusa City Hall held its official dedication on May 11, 1918, according to an article published in the Bogalusa Enterprise and American.

At that dedication, M.J. McClendon presented a special ax to the city. McClendon’s ax had been used to fall the first tree in the pine forests of Bogalusa, which gave the new city its economic start.

According to the Enterprise and American, the city hall cost $30,000 to build. A March 7, 1918, detailing the building’s design stated: “It is of the pavilion type and built in such a way that it can be added to from time to time without distracting from its appearance.”

The Bogalusa City Hall was built in 1917 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

It has a four-column, Tuscan-style portico and was designed by New Orleans architect Rathbone Debuys. It was built by contractor E.N. Moore. Moore also constructed the YWCA and the armory.

Bogalusa became a city in 1914. Before the existing city hall was built, the Bogalusa City Council held its meetings in the offices of the Great Southern Lumber Company.