Leominster, Massachusetts: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 03:39, 23 August 2025

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{{Short description|City in Massachusetts, United States}}

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{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox Settlement

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

|official_name = Leominster, Massachusetts

{{Infobox settlement

|other_name =

| official_name = Leominster, Massachusetts

|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->

|nickname other_name = Pioneer [[Plastics]] City

| settlement_type = <!--For Town or Village (Leave blank for the default [[City)-->]]

| image_skyline = Aerial downtown Leominster MA 2.JPG

|motto =

|image_skyline imagesize = 100_0494_v2.jpg290px

| image_caption = Downtown Leominster

|imagesize =

| image_flag = Flag of Leominster, Massachusetts.jpg

|image_caption = Leominster Skyline from The Top Of Pheasant Run Cir. on Sheldon Hill

|image_flag flag_size = Leominster_flag.jpg

|flag_size image_seal = Seal of Leominster, =Massachusetts.png

|image_seal seal_size = Leominster_logo.gif

| nickname = Pioneer Plastics City{{efn|For examples of Leominster's early plastics industry, see [[Dupont Viscoloid Company|Viscoloid]], [[Foster Grant]], [[Don Featherstone (artist)]], as well as the article for [[plastic flamingo]]s.}}<br />The Birthplace of Johnny Appleseed<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Pan American World Airways|year=1975|page=46|title=Pan Am's World, the USA: everything you need to know about 50 great States}}</ref>

|seal_size =

|image_shield motto = We Must, We Can and We Will Be Free.

| image_map = Worcester County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Leominster highlighted.svg

|shield_size =

|city_logo mapsize = 260px

| map_caption = Location in [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]] and the state of [[Massachusetts]]

|citylogo_size =

| pushpin_map = USA

|image_map = Leominster_ma_highlight.png

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the [[United States of America]]

|mapsize =

| coordinates = {{Coord|42|31|30|N|71|45|37|W|region:US-MA_type:city(44,000)|display=inline,title}}

|map_caption = Location in Massachusetts

| subdivision_type = Country

|image_map1 =

| subdivision_name = United States

|mapsize1 =

| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]

|map_caption1 =

| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]

|image_dot_map =

| subdivision_name1 = [[Massachusetts]]

|dot_mapsize =

| subdivision_name2 = [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester]]

|dot_map_caption =

| established_title = Settled

|dot_x = |dot_y =

| established_date = 1640

|pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a ___location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->

| established_title1 = Incorporated

|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->

| established_date1 = {{Plain list|

|pushpin_map_caption =

* Jun 23, 1740 (T)

|pushpin_mapsize =

* Nov 2, 1915 (C)

|subdivision_type = Country

}}

|subdivision_name = United States

| government_footnotes =

|subdivision_type1 = State

| government_type = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-council city]]

|subdivision_name1 = [[Massachusetts]]

|subdivision_type2 leader_title = County[[Mayor]]

| leader_name = Dean J. Mazzarella

|subdivision_name2 = [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]]

| leader_title1 = [[City Council]] <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->

|subdivision_type3 =

|subdivision_name3 leader_name1 = {{Plain list|

* Susan A. Chalifoux Zephir

|subdivision_type4 =

* Brandon L. Robbins

|subdivision_name4 =

* Thomas F. Ardinger

|government_footnotes =

* Claire M. Freda

|government_type =[[Mayor-council government|Mayor-council city]]

* Robert M. Tocci (Ward 1)

|leader_title = [[Mayor]]

* Pauline M. Cormier (Ward 2)

|leader_name = Dean J. Mazzarella

* David R. Cormier (Ward 3)

|leader_title1 = [[City Council]] <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->

* Mark C. Bodanza (Ward 4)

|leader_name1 =Dennis A. Rosa<br>John Dombrowski<br>James Lanciani, Jr<br>Virginia Tocci<br>David E. Rowlands (Ward 1)<br>Wayne A. Nickel (Ward 2)<br>Claire M. Freda (Ward 3)<br>Robert Salvatelli (Ward 4)<br>Richard Marchand (Ward 5)

* Peter A. Angelini (Ward 5)

|leader_title2 =

}}

|leader_name2 =

| leader_title2 = [[School Committee]]

|leader_title3 =

|leader_name3 leader_name2 = {{Plain =list|

* Mayor Dean Mazzerella

|leader_title4 =

* Gregory K. Thomas

|leader_name4 =

* Melissa Bible

|established_title = Settled

* Salvatore Perla

|established_date = 1653

* Jennifer Lee Alker (Ward 1)

|established_title2 = Incorporated

* Ronald Houle (Ward 2)

|established_date2 = 1740

* Sandra Cucchiara(Ward 3)

|established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->

* Joshua Bowdridge (Ward 4)

|established_date3 =

* Eileen Griffin (Ward 5)

|area_magnitude =

}}

|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->

|area_footnotes unit_pref = Imperial

| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_25.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528021656/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_25.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>

|area_total_km2 =

|area_land_km2 area_magnitude =

| area_total_km2 = 76.87

|area_water_km2 =

| area_total_sq_mi = 29.868

|area_land_sq_mi area_land_km2 = 2874.965

| area_land_sq_mi = 28.82

|area_water_sq_mi =0.9

| area_water_km2 = 2.22

|area_water_percent =

| area_water_sq_mi = 0.86

|area_urban_km2 =

| area_water_percent =

|area_urban_sq_mi =

|area_metro_km2 area_urban_km2 =

| area_urban_sq_mi =

|area_metro_sq_mi =

| area_metro_km2 =

|population_as_of = 2000

| area_metro_sq_mi =

|population_footnotes =

| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->

|population_note =

|population_total elevation_m = 41303123

|population_density_km2 elevation_ft = 400

| population_total = 43646

|population_density_sq_mi = 1430.3

| population_as_of = [[2022 United States Census|2022]]

|population_metro =

| population_footnotes = <nowiki>census.gov</nowiki>

|population_density_metro_km2 =

| population_density_km2 = 586.49

|population_density_metro_sq_mi =

| population_density_sq_mi = 1519.00

|population_urban =

| population_note =

|population_density_urban_km2 =

| postal_code_type = ZIP Code

|population_density_urban_sq_mi =

|population_blank1_title postal_code = 01453

| area_code = [[Area code 508|508]]/[[Area code 978|978]]

|population_blank1 =

| website = [http://www.leominster-ma.gov www.leominster-ma.gov]

|population_density_blank1_km2 =

| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]

|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =

| utc_offset = −5

| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]

| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]

| utc_offset = -5

| utc_offset_DST = −4

| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]

| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]

| utc_offset_DST = -4

| blank_info = 25-35075

| latd=42 |latm=31 |lats=30 |latNS=N

| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID

| longd=71 |longm=45 |longs=37 |longEW=W

| blank1_info = 0617697

|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->

|elevation_m pop_est_as_of =

| pop_est_footnotes =

|elevation_ft = 400

| population_est =

|postal_code_type = ZIP code <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->

}}

|postal_code = 01453

|area_code = [[Area code 351|351]] / [[Area code 978|978]]

'''Leominster''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|m|ə|n|s|t|ɚ}} {{respell|LEM|ən-stər}}) is a city in [[Worcester County, Massachusetts]], United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 43,222<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leominster, Massachusetts Population 2024 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/leominster-ma-population |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=worldpopulationreview.com }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> at the [[2020 United States census|2023 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Leominster city, Massachusetts|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2535075|access-date=2021-09-25}}</ref> Leominster is located north of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] and northwest of [[Boston]]. Both [[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] and [[Massachusetts Route 12|Route 12]] pass through Leominster. [[Interstate 190 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 190]], [[Massachusetts Route 13|Route 13]], and [[Massachusetts Route 117|Route 117]] all have starting/ending points in Leominster. Leominster is bounded by [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]] and [[Lunenburg, Massachusetts|Lunenburg]] to the north, [[Lancaster, Massachusetts|Lancaster]] to the east, [[Sterling, Massachusetts|Sterling]] and [[Princeton, Massachusetts|Princeton]] to the south, and [[Westminster, Massachusetts|Westminster]] to the west.

|blank_name =

|blank_info =

|blank1_name =

|blank1_info =

|website = http://www.leominster-ma.gov

|footnotes =

}} <!-- Infobox ends -->

'''Leominster''' is a [[city]] in [[North Central Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]]. The population was 41,303 at the 2000 census. Leominster is located north of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] and west of [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]. Both [[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] and [[Massachusetts Route 12|Route 12]] pass through Leominster. [[Interstate 190 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 190]], [[Massachusetts Route 13|Route 13]], and [[Massachusetts Route 117|Route 117]] all have starting/ending points in Leominster. Leominster is bounded by [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]] and [[Lunenburg, Massachusetts|Lunenburg]] to the north, [[Lancaster, Massachusetts|Lancaster]] to the east, [[Sterling, Massachusetts|Sterling]] and [[Princeton, Massachusetts|Princeton]] to the south, and [[Westminster, Massachusetts|Westminster]] to the west.

== History ==

[[File:Leominster, Mass. (2674542750).jpg|thumb|left|[[Lithograph]] of Leominster from 1886 by [[L. R. Burleigh]] with list of landmarks and depictions of town square and Commons areas]]

Before European settlement, various divisions of the [[Pennacook]] or [[Nipmuc]] tribes inhabited the area, with a settlement nearby called Nashua. Leominster was first settled in [[1653]], was officially incorporated in [[1740]], and incorporated as a city in [[1915]]. Leominster is now known as "The Pioneer Plastics City" because of its thriving [[plastics]] industry from the early part of the [[twentieth century]] to present day. Leominster and [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]] are commonly known as the twin cities in the area because of their similar populations, their shared history of industry, and their ___location on the [[Nashua River]]. In 1927 [[Sam Foster]] invented the modern [[sunglasses]] at his Foster Grant Company in Leominster.

The region was originally inhabited by various divisions of the [[Pennacook]] or [[Nipmuc]] [[Native American in the United States|Native American]]s, who lived along the [[Nashua River]]. The river provided fertile soil for the cultivation of corn, beans, squash and tobacco.<ref name=Tremblay2006>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Early History of Leominster | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 9–28 }}</ref>

Leominster was also a major contributor in the [[Underground Railroad]]. The Emory Stearn Schoolhouse and the John Drake home, both on Franklin Street, led anti-slavery campaigns and helped house slaves on their journey to freedom.

European settlers began arriving in the mid-17th century and in 1653, the area of Leominster—which takes it name from the [[Herefordshire]] town of [[Leominster]] in [[England]], was first founded as part of the town of [[Lancaster, Massachusetts|Lancaster]].<ref name=Wilder1852>{{

cite book

|last = Wilder

|first = David

|year = 1852

|title = History of Leominster

|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC

|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC&q=history+of+leominster

|pages = 5–9

|access-date = December 23, 2012

}}</ref>

The European settlers and native people lived peacefully for a number of years, until the start of [[King Philip's War]] in 1675.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /><ref name=Wilder1852 /> The violent war between the native Indians and early settlers killed hundreds of people and drove off the inhabitants from the area.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /><ref name=Wilder1852 /> After the war, Lancaster remained virtually deserted until a new land grant was offered to residents in 1701.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /><ref name=Wilder1852 /> To prevent further conflict with the native Indians, the settlers negotiated with Chief [[Sholan]] and his nephew [[George Tahanto]] of the [[Nashaway people|Nashaway]] tribe for the land.<ref name=Wilder1852 /> It would be the only parcel of land to be legally purchased in [[Central Massachusetts]].<ref name=Wilder1852 />

By 1737, the area of Leominster had gained enough residents to be incorporated as a separate town. The town of Leominster was officially incorporated on June 23, 1740.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /><ref name=Wilder1852 />

== The Plastic Industry ==

The city of Leominster has played played a more significant role in the establishment and progess of [[plastics]] in the United States than any other cummunity or area. The Plastics Industry started with the [[comb]] industry in 1770's which has flourished in Leominster ever since. Early combs were made of animal shell, horn, and hooves. By the mid 1800's these supplies were dwindlling rapidly. Every thing changed when in 1868 [[John Wesley Hyatt]] invented a material made from cellulose acetate , to which he gave the name "[[celluloid]]". Celluloid was hard, durable, and easy to shape and mold when heated to a certain Temperature. Leominster's facilities for horn fabrication, rabidly become the center for fabrication in the United States. Leominster used celluloid not only for combs, but for toys, cutlery handles, optical frames, buttons, and novelties of all shapes and sizes. Most celludoid manufacturing was later changed to cellulose acetate which did not burn as quickly. Between 1900 and 1920 was the peak of the plastic industry in leominster. Plastics idustry was Leominster largest employer. Unfortunately, the late 1920's was the fall of the comb industry. The fashion style of women was changing who were wearing their hair shorter with no need for elaborate combs. Then the [[Great Depression]] which began in 1929 and did not end untill the end of [[World War II]].

=== Foster Grant ===

In May of 1919 [[Sam Foster Jr]]., with one employee, Grace Goodhue, started the Foster Manufacturing Company. The company started in a small laundry and small adjacent house on Manning Ave. The work the company did was jobbed put from the Viscoloid Company and other Leominster manufacturers. For the company to survive Sam Foster knew he needed to make his own product to stay in business. The first product produced was [[jewelry]]. Sam then decided he needed a salesman. Sam hired William Grant who was made his partner and was responsible for sales. The name was changed to [[Foster Grant]] Company, Inc. Grant only lasted a couple months, but with no money left to legally change the name it remained Foster Grant.

In 1920 [[Goody Hair Products]], a [[New York City]] based firm started ordering products from Foster Grant's. Foster Grant was getting national recognition and more orders from different companies. The factory was moved to a Three-building complex on Lancaster Street with a total 40,000 square feet in 1924. Sam Foster learned of injection molding and brought it to the United States and to his Foster Grant factory. Foster Grant quickly turning Foster Grants into one of the leading plastic manufacturers in the country. With the growth of the company Sam Foster hired his son Joe to be the company's representative in New York City. Joe Foster moved the company into national prominence with a sale of plastic notepads with attached crayons, invented by Sam, to [[Woolworths]]'s. The order was for three thousand gross at about twenty-five thousand dollars, the largest order by far the company had filled. Sometime between 1927 and 1929 Sam Foster designed the first ever Foster Grant [[sunglasses]]. The first sunglasses were sold for 10 cents, but were viewed as childish. Not untill Hollywood movie stars were seen and photograghed wearing sunglasses in sunny southern Californa. The sunglasses idustry exploded in the 1930's and expanded through the 50's, 60's, 70's. During World War II with the lack on plastic demand Joe Foster turned to the military to sell plastic. 80% of the company's profit went to the military. Foster Grant continued to grow and went international. Sam Foster retired from Foster Grant in 1942 at age 59 and Joe Foster died on November 10, 1971. The company was sold and moved from Leominster in 1986.

Around the time of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Leominster was a major contributor in the [[Underground Railroad]]. The Emory Stearn Schoolhouse and the John Drake home, led anti-slavery campaigns and helped house [[fugitive slave]]s.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/01/27/old_house_in_leominster_has_a_history/ | work=The Boston Globe | first=Danielle M. | last=Capalbo | title=Old house in Leominster has a history | date=January 27, 2008}}</ref>

=== Pink Flamingo ===

Union Products first conceived the idea of plastic lawn ornaments in 1946. Unfortunately, the first ones were two-dimensional; and envisioned. Ten years later, 1956, the company decided to hire an artist to correct the problem. They turned to the prestigious [[Worcester Art Museum]] School in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]] for candidates, ultimately hiring [[Don Featherstone]].

His first project was a duck named “Charlie the Duck.” He was modeled after a real duck that Mr. Featherstone kept at his studio. Charlie met with moderate success, but Mr. Featherstone was sure he could do better. Using flamingo pictures from National Geographic, he created a clay sculpture of the famous bird. The company made aluminum molds and the [[pink flamingo]] was born.

This was during the 1950’s when vast numbers of families were moving into ranch houses in new suburban developments. The new homes were affordable and comfortable, but had a “cookie-cutter” repetitive design that reduced costs. The new homeowners now had lawns and a desperate need to express their individuality. The sales of Leominster’s native bird took off. Since then, sales have had their ups and downs over the years, the birds occasionally being replaced in popular fashion by more tasteful rabbits or less tasteful gnomes. At one point , sales picked up dramatically because of the successful television show “[[Miami Vice]]” where the birds gave a strong but understated and unaccredited performance as shows regulars.

Today, they are purchased for uses as varied as wedding decorations, house warming gifts, or to humorously mark a birthday.

Just remember, all authentic Leominster pink flamingos have Don Featherstone’s signature under their tails, a yellow beak with black tip, and are only sold in pairs.

In Leominster's early existence, the town was primarily a small farming community, but towards the beginning of the 19th century, the economy quickly shifted into manufacturing.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /> The town became a regional transportation hub around 1800, with the opening of the [[Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike]] and the connections of the Union Turnpike and [[Cambridge and Concord Turnpike]]s in 1808.<ref name=Tremblay2006transporation>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Transportation | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 133–144 }}</ref> However, manufacturing in Leominster was truly made possible by the opening of the [[Fitchburg Railroad]] that ran through [[North Leominster]] and into [[Boston]], and the [[Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad]] that ran through the center of town.<ref name=Tremblay2006transporation /> By the 1850s, paper mills, piano makers, and comb manufacturers had established factories along the Monoosnoc Brook and Nashua River.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /><ref name=Wilder1852 /> While the earliest settlers in Leominster were primarily of British ancestry, many immigrants soon gathered to work in Leominster's expanding factories.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /> The first group of immigrants was primarily Irish, followed by the [[French Canadians]] and the Italians into the early 20th century.<ref name=Tremblay2006 /> These new waves of immigrants caused the population to surge from just 2,069 in 1840 to 19,744 by 1920.<ref name="1950_Census_Urban_populations_since_1790">{{cite journal | title=1950 Census of Population | volume=1: Number of Inhabitants | at=Section 6, Pages 21–7 through 21-09, Massachusetts Table 4. Population of Urban Places of 10,000 or more from Earliest Census to 1920 | publisher=Bureau of the Census | access-date=July 12, 2011 | year=1952 | url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch06.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609073753/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch06.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 2, 1915, Leominster was officially chartered as a city.<ref name=Tremblay2006City>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Leominster, The City | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 29–42 }}</ref>

== Leominster Culture ==

While many different industries established themselves in Leominster, it was the comb industry that particularly flourished.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Business and Industry | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 145–174 }}</ref> Construction of combs was a time-consuming and painstaking process, involving preparation of the natural materials such as animal horn, roughing out of a basic form, and finally, individual cutting of the teeth.<ref name=Gross/> By 1853, there were already 146 employees working in 24 different comb factories across the town.<ref name=Wilder1852 /> By the mid-1800s, however, availability of the natural materials used to make combs, such as animal horns and hooves, was diminishing rapidly, and an alternative material was needed.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry />

The solution would come in a new material called [[celluloid]] invented in 1868.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry /> The new plastic would revolutionize the comb industry and give Leominster the nickname the "Comb City".<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry /> The versatility of celluloid would also give manufactures the opportunity to expand to many different products outside of combs.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry /> The largest plastic manufacturer in the city was the [[Dupont Viscoloid Company|Viscoloid Company]] founded by [[Bernard W. Doyle|Bernard Wendell Doyle]] in 1901.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> In 1914, the Viscoloid Company pioneered making toys out of pyroxylin plastic, and by 1923 the company was the largest employer in Leominster.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry /> Viscoloid was sold to The DuPont Company in 1925, and renamed the Dupont Viscoloid Company.

=== Villages ===

The city is divided into a few "[[villages]]" such as [[French Hill]], a large hill covered in planned blocks of "[[triple decker]]" [[apartments|apartment houses]] located from 1st Street to 12th Street. It is called French Hill because this is where the large immigrant French population took root. In the early 1900's, on Lincoln Terrace, the Italians moved in as a group and built up a semi-closed society which existed for many years. The French had built a new church and moved closer to it. Other areas are Morse Hollow, [[North Leominster]], Rice Hill, the Flats, the West Side, and the [[Car Barn]] area along the Fitchburg border. A granite marker showing the birth place of [[Johnny Appleseed]] can be found on Johnny Appleseed Lane.

The second invention to revolutionize plastic production in Leominster was the development of modern [[injection molding]].<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> Samuel Foster, a Leominster resident of German ancestry, first worked for the Viscoloid Company, then established his own business, [[Foster Grant]]. In 1931, Foster visited Jack Goodman's New York factory and learned about an [[injection molding machine]],<ref name=Gross>{{cite journal|last1=Gross|first1=Daniel A.|title=Plastic Town|journal=Distillations Magazine|date=2015|volume=1|issue=3|pages=26–33|url=https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/magazine/plastic-town|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127024131/https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/magazine/plastic-town|url-status=live}}</ref> invented in Germany in the early 1920s.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> Foster ordered several of the new machines, and had them secretly shipped via Worcester to his [[Foster Grant]] manufacturing factory in Leominster, where his mechanics focused on getting them to work and modifying them.<ref name=Gross/> Molding technology made it possible for Foster Grant to make not only combs, but a wide variety of other articles, including plastic [[sunglasses]], selling 20 million pair in 1937.<ref name=Gross/> The new technology would pay great dividends for the plastic industry in the city and the country.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> Soon the city would be coined the "Pioneer Plastics City" for its important history in the plastics industry.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/>

=== Nicknames ===

Leominster is commonly referred to as "Frenchtown" because of its large [[French Canadian]] population. This name was coined by author [[Robert Cormier]] (who grew up on French Hill) in his book, ''[[Frenchtown Summer]]''. Leominster is also called the "Pioneer [[Plastics]] City" because of its early role in plastics manufacturing. It was also called the "Comb City". The [[National Plastics Center & Museum]] is located in Leominster. One would be hard pressed to walk through a large department store or supermarket today and not find some plastic product from Leominster.

Leominster was also the home of [[Tupperware]], founded in 1938 by [[Earl Tupper]]. His "wonderbowl," with its airtight "burping" seal became popular after [[Brownie Wise]] convinced him to demonstrate and sell Tupperware at home parties.<ref name=Tupperware>{{cite web|title=Tupperware inventor born, July 28, 1907|url=http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=219|website=Mass Moments|access-date=November 6, 2015|archive-date=September 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917234821/http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=219|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=PBS>{{cite news|title=Biography: Earl Silas Tupper|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/tupperware-tupper/|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=PBS: American Experience|archive-date=November 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124121846/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/tupperware-tupper/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leominster also boasted large manufactures Standard Tool Company, Selig Manufacturing Co. Inc, C.E. Buckley, Inc. (manufacturer of religious articles) and the Whitney Carriage Company, which was once the largest manufacturer of baby carriages in the world.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/>

Leominster is named after the [[market town]] of [[Leominster]] in [[Herefordshire]], [[England]]. The city name is <i>not</i> pronounced as spelled, "Leo" followed by "minster"; locals refer to the city as "Lemon-stah" in the [[Boston accent|Eastern New England dialect]]. However, it is commonly referred to in standard pronunciation as "Lemon-stir". It is also referred to as the "city of dreams."

In 1956, the plastic [[plastic flamingo|pink flamingo]] lawn-ornament was invented in Leominster for Union Products. The famous lawn-ornament was designed by [[Donald Featherstone (artist)|Don Featherstone]], and was modelled after pictures of flamingos in National Geographic.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/><ref>"Retro pink flamingos to hatch in New York". NBC News. 2007. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18967357 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225132339/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18967357 |date=February 25, 2021 }}. Retrieved on April 23, 2008. Published: May 31, 2007. From the Associated Press, on the purchase and re-production of Don Featherstone's original plastic-flamingo design.</ref>

=== Leominster Sports ===

Leominster High School has had a long tradtion of MAssachusetts Division 1 sports. Basketball, baseball, tennis, and track have become popular sports. Football has emerged as the main competitive sport. Leominster has raised pro football players. Leominster is famous for its Thanksgiving rivarly with Fitchburg

Although the [[Great Depression]] slowed the plastic industry in Leominster, it was not until the late 20th century that there was a full-scale decline in plastic manufacturing. Following the national trend, manufactures were moving out of the cities to cheaper alternatives across the country and overseas.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> Despite the changing landscape, the population of Leominster would continually rise into the 21st century, surpassing her twin city of [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]] in 2000 as the second largest city in Worcester County. The Latino communities of Leominster also saw huge growth towards the latter half of the 20th century.<ref name=Tremblay2006Immigration>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = The Immigration Experience | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 107–132 }}</ref>

In recent decades, [[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] and the building of [[Interstate 190 (Massachusetts)|I-190]] have further transformed the city into a more commercial and suburban landscape.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> The construction of the Twin City Plaza, [[Mall at Whitney Field]] and other shopping centers have all contributed to significant commercial growth in the city and have made Leominster one of Central Massachusetts' largest retail destination. Inexpensive land cost has also made the city an attractive living destination for commuters to both [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] and [[Boston]].<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/> Nevertheless, Leominster still preserves some of its manufacturing heritage and many plastic manufactures retain establishment in the city.<ref name=Tremblay2006Industry/>

On September 11, 2023, heavy rains caused [[September 2023 northeastern U.S. floods|significant floods]], leading to major damage to the city, and a [[state of emergency]] was declared.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Derrick Bryson |last2=Diaz |first2=Johnny |date=2023-09-12 |title=Massachusetts Cities Declare Emergency After 'Catastrophic' Flash Flooding |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/us/leominster-massachusetts-flash-flooding.html |access-date=2023-09-12 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="165px">

File:Monument Square, Leominster - undivided back postcard.jpg|Monument Square in 1907

File:1915 postcard of North Leominster station.JPG|North Leominster train depot in 1915

File:Whitney Carriage Co.jpg|The former Whitney Carriage Company complex

File:Twin City Shopping Center.JPG|Twin City Plaza mall on Route 2

</gallery>

== Geography ==

[[File:Leominster, Massachusetts 100 0494 v2.jpg|left|thumb|View of Downtown Leominster]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 77.1 [[square kilometer|km&sup2;]] (29.8 [[square mile|mi&sup2;]]). 74.8 km&sup2; (28.9 mi&sup2;) of it is land and 2.3 km&sup2; (0.9 mi&sup2;) of it is water. The total area is 2.96% water.

[[File:Monument Square Leominster.jpg|thumb|left|View across [[Monument Square Historic District (Leominster, Massachusetts)|Monument Square]] in downtown Leominster, the site of the city's traditional New England common]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|29.8|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|28.9|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.9|sqmi}}, or 2.96%, is water.

Leominster is primarily located on a plateau above the [[Nashua River]].<ref name=Tremblay2006/> The river runs through the eastern portion of the city and then cuts through the northern part of the city as it meanders towards Fitchburg.<ref name=Wilder1852River>{{cite book | last = Wilder | first = David | year = 1852 | title = History of Leominster | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC | chapter = Ponds, Rivers, etc. | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC&q=ponds%2C+rivers | pages = 22–24 | access-date = December 24, 2012}}</ref> Northern and Western Leominster have a more rugged terrain defined by scattered hills.<ref name=Wilder1852soil>{{cite book | last = Wilder | first = David | year = 1852 | title = History of Leominster | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC | chapter = Surface, Soil and Productions | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-SFaLhqCZFsC&q=surface%2C+soil+and+productions | pages = 25–42 | access-date = December 24, 2012}}</ref> The most prominent hills are both the North and South Monoosnoc Hills in the western part of the city. The South Monoosnoc Hill is the highest point in the town at 1,020 feet.<ref name=Wilder1852soil/> In the 19th century, the south hill was quarried for granite used in home foundations.<ref name=Wilder1852soil/> West of the two hills lies the No town Reservoir and Leominster State Forest. To the east, lies the Monoosnoc Brook which winds through the center of town and was an important power source for early manufacturers.<ref name=Wilder1852soil />

=== Villages ===

The city is divided into several small "[[village]]s" such as French Hill, a large hill covered in planned blocks of "[[triple decker]]" [[apartment|apartment houses]] located from 1st Street to 12th Street. It is called French Hill because this is where the large immigrant French population took root. In the early 20th century, on Lincoln Terrace, immigrating Italian families began to arrive in the area and built a semi-closed society which existed for many years. The French population built a new church and moved closer to it. Other areas include Morse Hollow, [[North Leominster]], Rice Hill, the Flats, the Bowery, the West Side, and the Car Barn area, located along the Fitchburg border, so-called because the Fitchburg & Leominster Railway trolley cars were stored and maintained in this area. It now has buses. A granite marker showing the birthplace of [[Johnny Appleseed]] can be found on Johnny Appleseed Lane.

==Demographics==

{{Historical populations

As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 41,303 people, 16,491 households, and 10,900 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 552.2/km² (1,430.3/mi²). There were 16,976 housing units at an average density of 227.0/km² (587.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.70% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.44% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.32% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.00% of the population.

|type= USA

|1790|1189

|1800|1486

|1810|1584

|1820|1790

|1830|1861

|1840|2069

|1850|3121

|1860|3522

|1870|3894

|1880|5772

|1890|7269

|1900|12392

|1910|17580

|1920|19744

|1930|21810

|1940|22226

|1950|24075

|1960|27929

|1970|32939

|1980|34508

|1990|38145

|2000|41303

|2010|40759

|2020|43782

|2022*|43646

|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|footnote=* = population estimate. {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref name="1950_Census_Urban_populations_since_1790"/><ref>{{cite web| title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=November 10, 2023| url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html| archive-date=July 11, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref> of 2000, there were 41,303 people, 16,491 households, and 10,900 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,430.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 16,976 housing units at an average density of {{convert|587.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.70% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.44% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.32% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.00% of the population (7.9% Puerto Rican, 2.0% Uruguayan, 1.1% Dominican, 0.7% Mexican, 0.3% Guatemalan, 0.3% Colombian).<ref>[https://archive.today/20200212055907/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP10&prodType=table QT-P10|Hispanic or Latino by Type: 2010] 2010 Census Summary File 1</ref>

There were 16,491 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.05.

InThere thewere city16,491 thehouseholds, populationout wasof spreadwhich out with 2532.59% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 749.25% fromwere 18[[Marriage|married tocouples]] 24living together, 3212.45% fromhad 25a tofemale 44householder with no husband present, 21and 33.39% fromwere 45non-families. toOf 64,all andhouseholds 1327.69% who were 65made yearsup of ageindividuals, orand older10.7% had Thesomeone medianliving agealone who was 3665 years. Forof everyage 100or females there were 92older.6 males. The Foraverage everyhousehold 100size femaleswas age 182.48 and over,the thereaverage werefamily 88.1size maleswas 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,893, and the median income for a family was $54,660. Males had a median income of $41,013 versus $30,201 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,769. About 7.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

== Economy ==

As of 2000, the management and professional fields were the city's largest sector, and employed over 32% of Leominster's workforce.<ref name=Economics2000>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF3_DP3&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215020224/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF3_DP3&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |title=Leominster city, Massachusetts Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000 |year=2000|work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=January 1, 2011}}</ref> 26.8% of the workforce is employed in sales and office occupations, and 20.2% are employed in education, health and social services.<ref name=Economics2000 />

Manufacturing constitutes 25.5% of the city's employees.<ref name=Economics2000 /> Of workers 84.3% commute alone to the workplace, and 9.1% carpool, while 1.7% use public transportation and another 1.7% walk.<ref name=Economics2000 /> The average one-way commute time is about 25&nbsp;minutes.<ref name=Economics2000 /> Soy product manufacturer Nasoya was founded here in 1978 until it was acquired by [[Vitasoy]] and relocated in 1998.

== Culture ==

Leominster has a long cultural history including various theatres, performance groups, exhibits and entertainment events. The Leominster Colonial Band, founded by Italian immigrants in 1910, has presented a free summer concerts series since the 1930s. Their annual Christmas concert, begun in 1990, is a favorite city tradition. Since 1973, the Thayer Symphony Orchestra has been performing in Central Massachusetts.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /><ref name=Thayer>{{cite web |title=Thayer Symphoney Orchestra Today |publisher=Thayer Symphoney Orchestra |year=2012 |url=http://www.thayersymphony.org/about.php |access-date=December 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110080252/http://www.thayersymphony.org/about.php |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Composed of orchestra professional, community volunteers, and student musicians, Thayer Symphony Orchestra's popularity forced them to move to the Stratos Dukakis Performing Arts Center at Montachusett Regional Vocational School in Fitchburg in 2000.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /><ref name=Thayer /> The Orchestra's concerts sell-out annually.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /> Since 1996, the Central Massachusetts Repertory Theater has performed at the Congregation Agudat Achim synagogue in Leominster.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /> The Leominster Art Association promotes the arts in Leominster from their home on Route 13.<ref>{{cite book |title=History |publisher=Leominster Art Association |year=2007 |url=http://www.leominsterartassociation.org/history.html |access-date=December 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801030813/http://www.leominsterartassociation.org/history.html |archive-date=August 1, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Every spring, the Association holds a three-day exhibition of local art downtown at St. Leo's Church.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Arts and Culture in Leominster | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 175–204 }},</ref> At the exhibition, a high school senior from Central Massachusetts is award a $500 scholarship annually to continue their art education<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts />

The Starburst Festival is held every June at Doyle Field.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /> The festival includes live entertainment, concessions, musical presentations, and a band concert by the Starburst Orchestra and fireworks, drawing over 8,000 visitors each year.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /> The Leominster "citizens of the Year" awards are also presented to one man and one woman resident during the festival.<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts />

In September, Leominster hosts the [[Johnny Appleseed Festival]] in celebration of the fall season and city's local hero [[Johnny Appleseed]].<ref name=Tremblay2006Arts /> Held at Monument Square since 1994, the festival features crafts, booths, entertainment and a parade. The festival boasts over a hundred local booths, and a food court sponsored by local restaurants and multicultural groups. Leominster was formerly home to the National Plastics Center and Museum, until the museum closed in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2008-11-28/your_city/011.html|title=National Plastics Center and Museum closing Lancaster Street facility by year's end|last=Radvon|first=Erik|date=November 11, 2008|work=Leominster Champion|access-date=December 27, 2012|archive-date=June 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627001437/http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2008-11-28/your_city/011.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Recreation ===

[[File:Crow Hill Pond, Leominster State Forest, Westminster MA.jpg|thumbnail|left|Crow Hill Pond at [[Leominster State Forest]]]]

The Leominster Recreation Department maintains 103 acres of property in Leominster, including numerous parks and playgrounds.<ref name=Recreation>{{cite web |title=Leominster Recreation Department |publisher=City of Leominster, Massachusetts |year=2012 |url=http://www.leominster-ma.gov/recreation_department_about.htm |access-date=December 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005073921/http://www.leominster-ma.gov/recreation_department_about.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Notable parks include Monument Square, Arthur A. Fournier Sr. Memorial Park, Evelyn Hachey Park, Justin DeSantis Field, Bachand Field and Barrett Park, which houses the Recreation Department's main offices. Doyle Field, located downtown on Priest Street, is the city's main athletic complex, including eight tennis courts, a soccer field and track, baseball field, playground, combination football-soccer stadium, and clubhouse.<ref name=Recreation /> Dedicated in 1931, Doyle field opened with a seating capacity of 6,200 and temporary bleachers for nearly 10,000 spectators.<ref name=Tremblay2006Sports>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Leominster Sports | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 205–222 }},</ref> In 2005, the field went under a huge renovation project to be completed in 2020.<ref name=Tremblay2006Sports /><ref name=DoyleField>{{cite web |title=Doyle Field Renovation Project |publisher=The Doyle Field Foundation Inc. |year=2005–2009 |url=http://www.doylefield.org/index.htm |access-date=December 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801024211/http://www.doylefield.org/index.htm |archive-date=August 1, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The project was broken up into three phases and phases 1 and 2 have been mostly completed through 2012.<ref name=DoyleField /> The renovation has costs $5 million through 2012.<ref name=DoyleField /> The renovation includes replacing bleachers, installing new turf, new locker rooms, concessions, press box, entertainment pavilion, ticket booths and expanding seating capacity from 4,572 to 6,912 seats.<ref name=DoyleField />

The [[Doyle Reservation|Doyle Community Park & Center]] is a 167-acre open-space reservation managed by the [[Trustees of Reservation]].<ref name=DoyleReservation>{{cite web|title= About Doyle Community Park & Center Renovation Project |publisher=Trustees of Reservations |year=2012 |url=http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/central-ma/doyle-reservation.html|access-date=December 27, 2012}}</ref> The reservation includes the Doyle Conservation center which houses the trustees Central Massachusetts headquarters, conference meeting rooms, and serves as an event venue.<ref name= DoyleReservation />

The city is also home to the 4,300-acre [[Leominster State Forest]], a popular hiking destination.<ref name=StateForest>{{cite web|title= Leominster State Forest |publisher=Department of Conservation and Recreation |year=2012 |url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-central/leominster-state-forest.html|access-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref> Within the state forest are Crow Hill Pond and Paradise Pond, both popular summer picnic and swimming getaways. During the winter season the forest is open to cross country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling.<ref name=StateForest />

Local golf courses include Monoosnock Country Club (nine holes) and Grand View Country Club (nine holes). Other courses in the area include Red Tail Golf Course (18 holes), Oak Hill Country Club (18 holes), and Settler's Crossing (nine holes).

=== Sports ===

[[Leominster High School]] has a long tradition of excellence in sports, and success is a huge focal point for the city. The Leominster High Blue Devils Football is one of the most successful high school football programs in the state including a record 12 State Super Bowl titles.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/12164/a-new-old-school-look-to-leominster | work=ESPN Boston | first=Matt | last=Stout | title=new, old school look to Leominster | date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> The Leominster Blue Devils main rival is the Red Raiders of Fitchburg High School. The two football programs have played every year since 1894, and have played 112 consecutive [[List of high school football rivalries (100 years+)|Thanksgiving Day Games]], and is second to only [[Needham High School|Needham]] and [[Wellesley High School|Wellesley]] for oldest high school football rivalry in the state. They also have an ice hockey team that plays at the Wallace Civic Center.

Legendary Leominster football players and coaches include [[Lou Little]], [[Ronnie Cahill]], [[Shane Fallon]], and [[Frank Novak (American football)|Frank Novak]].<ref name=Tremblay2006Sports/>

The Wachusett Dirt Dawgs of the FCBL played at the Baseball Field at Doyle Field six summers from 2012 to 2017. Leominster currently hosts [[New England Football League]] semi-pro team, the Central Mass Sabercats.

The Leominster Dek-Hockey Center hosts youth dek-hockey games for the town of Leominster and Fitchburg. It is located in North Leominster off of [[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] near [[North Leominster station]] of the [[Fitchburg Line]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.idtadekhockey.com/Locations/LeominsterMAUSA/AboutLDHC/tabid/77/Default.aspx|title=IDTA - About LDHC|first=IDTA|last=DekHockey|website=www.idtadekhockey.com}}</ref>

==Government==

[[File:Leominster City Hall.jpg|thumb|right|City Hall in downtown Leominster]]

{{Infobox Mass Town Govt |

| county= Worcester

Leominster operates under a [[Mayor–council government|mayor–council]] form of government in which the mayor holds sole executive power.<ref name=Executive>{{cite web |title=Executive Branch |publisher=City of Leominster, Massachusetts |year=2008 |url=http://www.leominster-ma.gov/images/images_mayor_dept/pdfs/kelly_20081002115041.pdf |access-date=December 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629053300/http://www.leominster-ma.gov/images/images_mayor_dept/pdfs/kelly_20081002115041.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The city is divided into five [[Wards of the United States|wards]] and voters select a mayor, a council member representing their ward and four [[at-large]] council members.<ref name=Executive /> The mayor has the power to appoint department heads and members of city boards, subject to approval by the city council.<ref name=Executive /> The current mayor of Leominster is [[Dean J. Mazzarella]].<ref name=Mayor>{{cite web |title=Major's Office |publisher=City of Leominster, Massachusetts |year=2012 |url=http://www.leominster-ma.gov/mayor_department_about_the_mayor.htm |access-date=December 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217022650/http://www.leominster-ma.gov/mayor_department_about_the_mayor.htm |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Mazzarella was sworn in on January 3, 1994, and is serving his sixteenth (16th) term as mayor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bienick |first=David |date=2024-01-02 |title=Mayor of Mass. city enters 16th term, 31st year in office |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/leominster-mayor-dean-mazzarella/46266792 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=WCVB |language=en-US}}</ref> He is the longest running mayor in Leominster history.<ref name=Tremblay2006City />

| clerk_courts = Dennis P. McManus (D)

| cty_treasurer = Anthony Podesta (Liberal)

| da = Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D)

| deeds = Kathleen R. Daigneault (D)

| probate = Stephen Abraham (D)

| sheriff = Guy W. Glodis (D)

| state_rep = Jennifer L. Flanagan(D)

| state_sen = Robert A. Antonioni (D)

| gov_councilors = Thomas J. Foley (D)

| fed_rep = [[John W. Olver]] (D-[[United States House of Representatives, Massachusetts District 1|1st District]]),

| fed_sen = [[Edward Kennedy]] (D)<br>[[John Kerry]] (D)}}

== Education ==

'''Public Schools:'''

[[Image:Leominster Public Library - Leominster, Massachusetts - DSC06244.jpg|thumb|left|Leominster Public Library]]

*Bennett

*Fall Brook

Public education in the city is operated by the Leominster Public School District. Leominster has four neighborhood elementary schools that serve students in grades K–5 (Fall Brook, Johnny Appleseed, Northwest, Frances Drake), two middle schools (Samoset and Skyview) for grades 6–8, and [[Leominster High School]] for grades 9–12. Leominster High school is composed of an academic unit and a vocational unit called the Center for Technical Education. The district also operates three preschool programs: the Bennett School, Lincoln Preschool at Samoset and Priest Street School.

*Johnny Appleseed

*[[Leominster High School| Center for Technical Education]]

Leominster is also home to two private schools, St. Leo Catholic School and St. Anna Catholic School. St. Leo's School is part of Leominster's St. Leo Parish, while St. Anna's School is part of St. Anna Parish; both are affiliated with the Diocese of Worcester.

*[[Leominster High School| Leominster Senior High]]

*Lincoln School

Post-secondary education opportunities include the Leominster campus of [[Mount Wachusett Community College]] and [[Fitchburg State University]] in neighboring Fitchburg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Campuses |publisher=Mount Wachusett Community College |year=2012 |url=http://mwcc.edu/about-mwcc/our-campuses/ |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110164836/http://mwcc.edu/about-mwcc/our-campuses/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

*Northwest

*Priest Street School

The Leominster Public library is the city's main public library. Established in 1856, the public library moved from different locations until a permanent structure opened in 1910.<ref>C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. [https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ Google books]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leominsterlibrary.org/ |title= |website=www.leominsterlibrary.org |access-date=November 10, 2010}}{{title missing|date=May 2022}}</ref> In order to secure finances for the new structure, a library trustee applied for aid from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.<ref name=Tremblay2006Library>{{cite book | author = Leominster Historical Commission Book Committee |author2=Tremblay, Gilbert P. | year = 2006 | title = Combing through Leominster's History | chapter = Public Library | publisher = Office of the Mayor | pages = 145–174 }}</ref> Carnegie donated $27,500, citing only if the town would appropriate 10 percent of that amount annually for the support of the library.<ref name=Tremblay2006Library /> In fiscal year 2008, the city of Leominster spent 1.39% ($1,183,076) of its budget on its public library—approximately $28 per person, per year ($34.29 adjusted for inflation in 2021).<ref>July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: [http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php Municipal Pie Reports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php |date=January 23, 2012 }}. Retrieved August 4, 2010</ref> In 2018, the school district controversially paid $10,000 in ransom money to hackers in order to recover its computer systems after they were infected with the [[WannaCry ransomware attack|WannaCry]] [[ransomware]] and adequate [[backup]]s were not available.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/massachusetts-school-district-pays-10000-bitcoin-ransom-computer/story?id=54852682|title=Massachusetts school district pays $10,000 in bitcoin ransom to computer hackers|last=Nestel|first=M.L.|date=May 1, 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506124741/https://abcnews.go.com/US/massachusetts-school-district-pays-10000-bitcoin-ransom-computer/story?id=54852682|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Samoset School

*Sky View Middle School

*Southeast Middle School

'''Private Schools:'''

*St. Anna's Elementry School

*St. Leo's Elementry School

'''Approved Special Education School:'''

*Lipton Academy

*North Leominster Community College for The Blind and Deaf

==Media==

===Newspapers===

The ''[[Sentinel & Enterprise]]'', a daily paper based in Fitchburg, is the main source of printed media in Leominster. The paper formed in 1973 by the merger of the ''Fitchburg Sentinel'' and the ''Leominster Enterprise'', which dated back to 1873.<ref name="sale">Elfland, Mike. "Sentinel & Enterprise Sale Set". ''Telegram & Gazette'' (Worcester, Mass.), January 8, 1997.</ref> The paper maintains a satellite news bureau in Leominster. Worcester County is also served by the daily ''[[Worcester Telegram & Gazette]]'' out of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]]. Locally, the ''Leominster Champion'' serves as a weekly [[community paper]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Leominster Champion |year= 2012 |url=http://www.leominsterchamp.com/|access-date=December 26, 2012}}</ref> ''On the Scene Magazine'' serves greater Leominster as a monthly entertainment publication.

*''[[Sentinel & Enterprise]]''

*''[[Telegram & Gazette]]''

*''[[Leominster Champion]]''

===Television===

Leominster Access Television (LTV) is the city's public access television station providing residents with local programs and meetings. The station broadcasts the annual Leominster-Fitchburg Thanksgiving football game every year.

*[[Leominster Access Television]]

===Radio===

==Points of interest==

Leominster is home to two radio stations. [[WCMX]]/1000 is a daytime-only religious radio station with Leominster as its community of license (it is based at the Twin City Baptist Temple in Lunenberg, however). On FM, there is a community radio station: [[WLPZ-LP]]/95.1, which was founded in 2017 and is managed by city resident Sonny Levine, with an all-volunteer staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_30752677/tune-and-take-microphone|title=Leominster's WLPZ hits the airwaves today, and local broadcasters are invited to join in|date=January 26, 2017}}</ref>

[http://www.leominster-ma.gov/images/images_fire_dept/apparatus/kendall-6.jpg Kendall Hall] (which currently houses a branch of the local [[fire department]]) and [http://www.leominster-ma.gov/images/images_mayor_dept/city_hall.jpg City Hall] are two major landmarks in the city. Others can be seen in [http://franklinrealtyco.com/Wellington/SlideShow/LeomJpegs/JohnnyAppleseed.htm#About this slide show] of local places.

=== Parks =Transportation==

[[File:Inbound train at North Leominster station, December 2013.JPG|thumb|right|The MBTA station in North Leominster]]

Other than the triangle-shaped [[Common land|common]] in downtown, and the various [[park]]s like Barett and Carter, Leominster is home to two large forest parks. One, the Doyle Reservation, is home to the [http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/781_doyle_conservation_center.cfm local branch] of the [[The Trustees of Reservations]]. The other large forest park is the [[Leominster State Forest]]. This is a large [[state forest]] and is home to hiking and multi-use trails, some of which connect with the [[Massachusetts Midstate Trail|Midstate Trail]]. Leominster is a hilly city and provides plenty of hiking with great views.

[[Regional rail|Commuter rail]] service from [[Boston]]'s [[North Station]] is provided by the [[MBTA]] with a stop in [[North Leominster (MBTA station)|North Leominster]] on its [[Fitchburg Line]].<ref>[http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=129 MBTA website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102043338/http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=129 |date=January 2, 2010 }}. mbta.com. Retrieved May 25, 2008.</ref>

The renovations at Doyle Field have given the teams of [[Leominster High School]] some of the best playing fields in the area. However, the track is not being resurfaced and will be torn up in the next few years. This will leave the [[Leominster High School]] track team, which already cannot have home meets because of the poor condition of the track, without a practice track. Over the years, Leominster has provided some of the state's best runners.

Local bus transportation is provided by the [[Montachusett Regional Transit Authority]], also known as the Montachusett Area Regional Transit or MART. This service operates in Leominster, Fitchburg, and Gardner.

=== Sholan Farms ===

[[Image:Red apple.jpg|right|thumb|Red Apple]]

[http://www.sholanfarms.com/ Sholan Farms] is the latest tourist attraction to the city. This [[apple]] [[orchard]] offers a large variety of [[apples]], a great view, and a historic and scenic look into the area's [[agricultural]] history. This orchard is home to festivals and functions and is a source of local pride. Sholan Farms is 123 years old, purchased from Chief Sholan of the Nashaway (Nashua) tribe in 170

[[Fitchburg Municipal Airport]], a public airport in neighboring [[Fitchburg, Massachusetts|Fitchburg]], serves as the air-hub of the area. However no major airlines have used the airport as a scheduled ___location in approximately half a century.

==Notable residents==

*John Chapman, better known as [[Johnny Appleseed]], American pioneer nurseryman

*[[Endurance (TV series)|Alex Carignan]], Winner of Endurance 5

*[[Robert Cormier]], author of ''[[The Chocolate War]]''

*Paul DiGiovanni, guitarist for the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Boys Like Girls]]

*[[Ralph Kirkpatrick]], musician, musicologist and harpsichordist

*[[Danielle Lozeau]], actress, "[[The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]" and [[The Eye]]

*[[Mistress Carrie]], radio DJ, music director for [[WAAF-FM]]

*[[James Nachtwey]], award-winning war photographer

*[[Mark Osowski]], former NBA assistant coach for the [[New Orleans Hornets]], the [[Golden State Warriors]], and the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

*[[R.A. Salvatore]], fantasy/science-fiction author

*Scott Spinelli, former [[Boston University]] basketball player, current [[Wichita State]] men's basketball assistant coach

Freight train service is provided by [[CSX]] via the [[Fitchburg Secondary]]. This service moves rail cars to and from local businesses, such as Teknor Apex, a plastics plant, and WIN Waste Innovations, a garbage collection service.

== Trivia ==

[[Image:Japple.gif|thumb|Johnny Appleseed, Harper’s Magazine, 1871]]

*The [[plastic flamingo]] traces its origins to Leominster.

*Leominster High School's [[American football|football]] rivalry with Fitchburg High School is one of the oldest [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving Day]] [[list of high school football rivalries|rivalries]] in the state of Massachusetts and in the country.

*The Leominster High School Blue Devils [[baseball]] team has earned three Division 1 State Championships, most in the state of [[Massachusetts]], and is a regular contender.

*The Leominster High School Blue Devils [[football]] team has earned ten Division 1 Super Bowl Championships, second most in the state behind [[Brockton, Massachusetts|Brockton]] High School with eleven.

==ReferencesNotable people==

[[Image:Johnny Appleseed.gif|thumb|right|upright|Johnny Appleseed, ''Harper's Magazine'', 1871]]

<references />

<!-- People who are not sufficiently notable to have WP pages will be removed. -->

* [[Rob Blanchflower]], drafted by the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in the seventh round of the [[2014 NFL draft]]

==External links==

* John Chapman, better known as [[Johnny Appleseed]], American pioneer nurseryman

*[http://www.leominster-ma.gov/ Leominster official website]

* [[Robert Cormier]], author of ''[[I Am the Cheese]]'' and ''[[The Chocolate War]]''

*[http://members.aol.com/Leominster476/History.html]

* [[Mark Daigneault]], professional basketball coach

*[http://FitchburgLeominster.net/ FitchburgLeominster.net]

* [[Paul DiGiovanni]], musician; former guitarist of popular rock band [[Boys Like Girls]] (2005–2022)

*[http://www.leominsterblog.com/ Blog about Leominster]

* [[Dominik Dijakovic]], [[WWE NXT]] wrestler

*[http://www.plasticscenter.org/ The National Plastics Center & Museum]

* [[Diego Fagúndez]], professional soccer player for the [[LA Galaxy]]

*[http://members.aol.com/SueG476/Leominster.html/ History and Genealogy of Leominster, MA]

* [[Rob Font]], [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] mixed martial artist

*[http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3003/ Leominster city profile]

* [[Paul Fusco (photographer)|Paul Fusco]], internationally known photojournalist

*[http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ Sentinel & Enterprise]

* [[Noah Gray]], professional football player with the [[Kansas City Chiefs]]

{{Mapit-US-cityscale|42.526523|-71.753582}}

* [[S. Wesley Haynes]], architect

* [[KC Johnson]], history professor best known for his role in disseminating the facts about the [[Duke University lacrosse rape case]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20070415/NEWS/704150473|title=Duke players say thanks|first=Paul Jarvey TELEGRAM & GAZETTE|last=STAFF}}</ref>

* [[Kathy Ann Kelly]], Irish-American singer, songwriter and musician born there, The Kelly Family member

* [[Adrian Nicole LeBlanc]], author of ''Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble and Coming of Age in the Bronx''

* [[Benjamin LaGuer]], convicted felon

* [[Lou Little]], football player and coach in the 1940s and 1950s

* [[Milt Morin]], former [[National Football League|NFL]] tight end for the Cleveland Browns

* [[Steve Moses]], professional ice-hockey player for [[Jokerit Helsinki]] and [[Nashville Predators]]

* [[James Nachtwey]], award-winning war photographer

* [[Mark Osowski]], former NBA assistant coach for the [[New Orleans Hornets]], the [[Golden State Warriors]], and the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

* [[Naudline Pierre]], visual artist

* [[Laurel Ptak]], curator of contemporary art

* [[R. A. Salvatore]], fantasy/science-fiction author

* [[Scott Spinelli]], college basketball coach

* [[John J. Taylor (New York politician)|John J. Taylor]], former US Congressman

* [[Oskari Tokoi]], Finnish-American socialist politician and newspaper editor

* [[David I. Walsh]], former Governor of Massachusetts and U.S. Senator

* [[Matt Kelly (drummer)|Matt Kelly]], drummer for Dropkick Murphys

== Explanatory notes ==

{{notelist}}

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Leominster (Massachusetts)|Leominster, Massachusetts}}

* [http://www.leominster-ma.gov/ Leominster official website]

* [http://members.aol.com/Leominster476/History.html Leominster History]

* [http://FitchburgLeominster.net/ FitchburgLeominster.net]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181215171604/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3003%2F Leominster city profile]

{{Worcester County, Massachusetts}}

{{Massachusetts}}

{{Greater Boston}}

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[[Category:Leominster, Massachusetts| ]]

[[Category:Cities in Massachusetts]]

[[Category:Cities in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]

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