Haverhill, Massachusetts

Haverhill's distinctive landscape features – the Merrimack River, the many ponds, wetlands and varied topography – were instrumental in shaping the history of the community from the earliest use of the area by Native Americans through the long tradition of shoe manufacturing to land uses that continue today. Agriculture, fishing and shipbuilding were the economic base well into the 19th century. In the early 1800s there was a strong cattle market which gave rise to the shoe industry. By the 1830s and into the early 20th century Haverhill became a leader in shoe manufacturing. Known as the “Queen Slipper City” Haverhill was noted for its shoe designers and makers. After World War I the shoe industry began its decline in Haverhill. In the 1950s the arrival of Western Electric was a boost to the local economy; however the large plant moved out of Haverhill in the late 20th century.

www.cityofhaverhill.com/