[2] Nearwell was commissioned by a local solicitor, William Wybergh How, in 1868[3] and became the home of his son, Walsham How, who went on to be the first Bishop of Wakefield:[4] it subsequently remained in the How family until the mid-1940s[5][6] and then became a hostel for boys studying at Shrewsbury Technical College before being demolished in August 1963.

[7] The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Sir Offley Wakeman, a former chairman of the county council, on 25 July 1964.

[8] It was designed by Ralph Crowe, the County Architect, in the Modernist style, built at a cost of £1.8 million and was completed in April 1966.

[9] A single storey extension, also designed by Crowe, was added to the Shirehall, to accommodate the assizes and the local quarter session hearings, shortly after it opened.

[20] Works of art in the building include a cast iron mural by Rosalind Alexander, located in the entrance hall, depicting Shropshire industries.