After significant population growth in the second half of the 19th century, particularly associated with the textile industry, Darwen became a municipal borough in March 1878.

[2] The site they selected was a piece of derelict and marshy land traversed by the River Darwen and owned by the Reverend Charles Greenway.

[2][5][a] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with thirteen bays facing onto the Croft Street with the end bays slightly projected forward and topped with mansard roofs; the central bay, which also slightly projected forward, featured an arched doorway on the ground floor with a triple sash window flanked by pairs of Corinthian order pilasters on the first floor, two smaller windows on the second floor and a pediment containing the town's coat of arms above.

[6] The town hall continued to be used as workspace by some departments of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

[13] Works of art in the town hall include a mural by an unknown artist which celebrates the centenary of the Darwen Jubilee Tower which had been built in 1898.