Historic Town Hall

The Ramsey Town Hall is a historic brick building located on Highway 47, nestled between Bunker Lake Boulevard and Nowthen Boulevard. Built in 1892, this 778-square-foot structure occupies half an acre of land and is one of the few remaining brick buildings from the 1800s in Anoka County. Originally, it served as a one-room schoolhouse until 1948. Afterward, it was converted into a town hall and functioned as a polling place until 1974, when a larger city hall was constructed. The building's proximity to the Kelsey Brickyard, which produced high-quality buff-colored bricks on the banks of Round Lake from 1880 to 1897, suggests it was likely built with these locally sourced materials.
The community and the City Council value this unique piece of history. Efforts to preserve the building began as far back as 1996. Councilmember Kirsten Buscher noted, “What stands out most is its historical significance. The old town hall is a rare link to Ramsey’s early days and shows what life was like when the area was smaller and more rural. That sense of place is something you can't recreate, which is what makes the building so special compared to newer developments.” 
The goal is to restore the building and open it up for public enjoyment. In recent years, there has been interest from private groups in leasing the space, but the building is not in good enough condition for that to happen. Potential uses for it include yoga classes, arts events, a shared workspace for startups, artist studios or galleries, or even a small museum. 
Some renovations were made possible by a 1996 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS)—such as installing new drywall, electrical systems, and a furnace (though it is not connected)—but the building remained uninhabitable. 
In 2018, the city used its own funds to remove pests, repair the damage they caused, replace a broken window, install a new front door, and paint the eaves and windows to prevent further deterioration of the structure. 
In 2023-24, the city sought quotes from contractors to continue renovations. However, after consulting with MHS, it was learned that future work must clearly protect the building’s historical value. Because it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, there are specific rules for renovation. 
In July 2025, staff applied for a $39,500 grant that MHS offers specifically for the preservation of historic sites. The money was awarded in January 2026. This funding was used to hire a consultant to create construction documents, which MHS approved. 
Currently, City staff is preparing an application for another construction grant due by July 17, 2026. They will find out if they received funding in December 2026. If so, the funds will be available in January 2027, and the construction work must be finished by June 2028.