Following significant population growth, largely associated with the cloth trade, a local board of health was appointed in Frome in 1865.
The site they selected, which was on the south side of Christchurch Street West,[4] was acquired from the local landowner, John Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath whose seat was at Longleat, for £178.
It was designed by Halliday & Anderson in the Renaissance style, built by Joseph Bird of Radstock in local stone at a cost of £3,435, and was completed in 1892.
[5] In 1894, the local board of health was succeeded by Frome Urban District Council, which assumed responsibility for the administration of the town.
[14] Following local government re-organisation in 1974,[15] the building in Christchurch Street West passed to Somerset County Council, which used it for the provision of social services.