We recently had the honour of restoring part of the coquina block at the Historic Bunnell City Hall building, and we’re excited to share some photos and a bit of the building’s fascinating history with you!
This incredible structure is truly a gem of local history and craftsmanship. Built entirely of coquina stone — quarried between Bunnell and Flagler Beach — the foundation and walls showcase the hard work and skill of the original builders. Workers in the 1930s used hatchets to carefully hand-cut the coquina, shaping the smooth, flat-faced walls that still stand strong today. To maintain this historic integrity during our restoration, Cody and his team employed the same time-honored technique, meticulously hand-cutting each stone to fit precisely. Before installing the new blocks, they cleaned the building using a specialized biological cleaner and carefully removed layers of paint and tar from select areas to reveal the original beauty of the coquina beneath.
The Bunnell City Hall was built between 1936 and 1937 during the Great Depression, thanks to $24,604 in federal funding and the hard work of 693 men. Over the decades, this iconic building has served as a gathering place for countless events — from lively Cabbage Balls and school dances to important community meetings and even cherished weddings.
A fun fact: The building’s unique masonry vernacular style, characterized by its use of locally sourced coquina stone, is being lovingly preserved using traditional techniques that honor the original craftsmanship. As time passes, the newly restored blocks will weather and age naturally, blending seamlessly with the existing historic structure and maintaining its timeless beauty.
We are proud to play a small role in preserving this irreplaceable piece of our community’s history, ensuring it continues to stand tall for future generations to enjoy. Here’s to honouring the past while serving the future!
Lath and Plaster 