The infirmary had its origins in the Bolton Dispensary established in Mawdsley Street in 1814.

[2] A campaign for a larger facility was established by Canon James Slade in 1820[3] and a new building, designed by Benjamin Hick and built on land at Nelson Square donated by the Earl of Bradford, was completed in 1827.

[2] A replacement infirmary, designed by Richard Knill Freeman[4] and sited east of Queen's Park[5] on Chorley Street, was completed in 1883.

[2] During the First World War the nurses' quarters were converted to create a military hospital.

[7] After services were transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital, the infirmary was closed in 1996[1] and demolished in 1999.