Keighley's town hall opened early in 1901, when the borough council moved from its former "cribb'd, cabin'd and confin'd quarters at Low Bridge".

It reflected the "the modern Renaissance style, freely treated", with "admirable but by no means sumptuous furnishings".

The mayor, HC Longsdon, used "an elegantly-designed golden key" to formally open the new Council Chamber, "a lofty and cheerful apartment". After members and their invited ladies had sat through a ten-minute meeting, they gladly adjourned to the dining room for food and toasts.

Despite its "multitude of rooms", the building proved unable to accommodate all the council departments, some of which had to use alternative premises.

The town hall is seen here probably in 1902, when the flags and bunting commemorated the coronation of King Edward VII.