Salem, Massachusetts, was first settled by Europeans in 1626, and it would take 170 years until in 1796,an organization of citizens was establishedfor the purpose of supplying the inhabitants generally of Salem and Danvers with pure spring water.The Salem and Danvers Aqueduct Companywas incorporated in 1797 for the purpose of conveying fresh water by subterraneous pipes into the towns of Salem & Danvers. As Salem grew, the need for a more central water district and distribution network became a necessity for the health and prosperity of the city. A 1864 law allowed Salem to construct its own water works, and it formed a Board of Water Commissioners who designed and constructed the system.From this, funding was acquired and paid for the laying of tens of thousands of feet of subterranean water distribution pipes connecting the reservoir to buildings and hydrants in Salem. Offices of the Waterworks were scattered and obsolete until 1877, when funds for the construction ofthis structure at 32-34 Church Streetwere set aside as the new Water Department Offices. Completed by 1879, the building is a great example of a Romanesque/Italianate style masonry structure with corbelled cornice and arched openings.According to the city directories, this building continued to operate as the Salem Water Works into the late 1930s. By 1945, it was the headquarters of the United States War Price & Rationing Board. In 1964, it held a number of city offices including: Civil Defense headquarters, Fire Department headquarters, Licensing Board, Planning Board, and the City Veterans Service, before being sold by the City of Salem to private ownership in 1976.