Factories of Holyoke

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke was considered by many to be a natural location for a planned city. With it’s close proximity to major cities like Boston and New York add to that the ample water supply of the Connecticut River, it’s no wonder industrialist from the eastern part of the state realized it’s economic potential.

By the middle of the 19th century Holyoke became an industrial giant. More than 50 textile mills and close to 4 ½ miles of hand made canals allowed the city to thrive. Immigrants where able to find jobs and establish new lives for themselves. Textile Mills eventually gave way to the paper industry and Holyoke earned the moniker, “the Paper City.”

Today, these old factories and Mils are going through yet another revitalization. Entrepreneurs and artists are finding creative ways to establish themselves in Holyoke. Businesses like the Werehouse?, Paper City Brewery and art space like Canal Gallery are making there home’s in the old textile and paper mills.

Web Sites: www.opensquare.com
www.holyoke.org/history.htm

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