[1] The area occupied by the town hall was originally the site of a manor house built for the Fleming family in the 14th century.

[2] Reiner le Fleming, who was lord of the manor of Wath upon Dearne, founded Kirklees Priory in 1155 during the reign of King Henry II.

[3] The current building was designed in the neoclassical style as a private residence, built in red brick rendered with cement and completed in 1770.

[7] Following significant population growth, largely associated with coal mining, the newly appointed local improvement commissioners[8] decided to acquire the building for £2,500 in 1892.

[6] A plaque commemorating the life of William Waddington, who had died while saving a baby in the sea at Bournemouth on 2 October 1904, was installed on the face of the building in the early 20th century.