Constructed through the Works Progress Administration as part of the United States' recovery from the Great Depression, the Canfield WPA Memorial Building rose on land donated by local merchant Arron Weisner on the west side of Broad Street. A six member committee representing the Argus Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, and the Village of Canfield decided that it would be "a community building built around community projects," and the project proceeded through local subscription and $60,000 in federal funds. Designed in the Colonial Revival style by the Youngstown firm of W.H. Cook and W. Canfield, the building was begun with a ground breaking ceremony on December 20, 1935, and during World War II it housed United States government offices. Its exterior included hand cut sandstone mined at Canfield's Dean Hill Quarry, while inside the first floor contained the George N. Boughton Library, an auditorium with a stage and seating for 300 people, and space for community activities, the Canfield Players, and the Roxy movie theatre, where admission was fourteen cents. The second floor meeting hall with kitchen facilities was occupied by American Legion Post 177 and the Ladies Auxiliary, the third floor was designed by the Argus Masonic Lodge with elaborate amenities including hand painted wall murals by local artist Ralph Ellis, and the basement provided recreational facilities for Canfield's youth. By 1978 the building was in major disrepair, but it was later purchased by private investors and restored.