In 1864, this typical canal era stone structure begain as the Benlamin C. Moore Company Mill.  Around 1884, the building was converted from a flour mill to one of the first water pumping plants in America.  The Holly Water Works was a pioneeer company in the development of central pumping systems.  In 1893 the building became Lockport's City Hall.

The building is uniquely integrated with its canal environment.  During the Barge Canal Improvement (1905-1918), the north foundation wall was used to form a retaining wall at the foot of Lock 34/35.  The old Canal Raceway runs underneath the building.  Across the street, is an example of the mill stones used by the Moore Company to grind wood into pulp.