Leeds, Massachusetts facts for kids
Leeds is a small village located in the western part of Northampton, Massachusetts, in the United States. It sits right next to the Mill River and borders other towns like Williamsburg and Florence. If you're sending mail to Leeds, the ZIP Code is 01053.
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A Look Back at Leeds
Leeds got its name from a famous city in England. In the 1800s, Leeds was a busy place known for making many different things.
Early Industries
The village was a hub for textile manufacturing. This means they made fabrics like broadcloth and silk. They also produced buttons from something called "vegetable ivory." Besides textiles, Leeds was important for making tools for farms and many items used in homes.
The Mill River Flood
In 1874, a dam on the Mill River broke. This caused a big flood that swept through Leeds and Williamsburg. It was a very serious event that affected many people in the area.
Leeds Today
Today, Leeds is still an active community with important places and businesses.
Silk Mills and Modern Businesses
One of the biggest silk producers in Leeds was the Corticelli Silk Mills. This company was part of the Nonotuck Silk Company. They had several buildings along the Mill River. One main factory was at Main Street and Mulberry Street. Another building was where silk cocoons were prepared to make raw silk for their products. Corticelli even made posters to teach people how silk was produced!
Today, Leeds is home to the Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which helps military veterans. It also has Chartpak, a company that makes art and graphics supplies, including products from Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth.
Education in Leeds
Leeds is also where Leeds Elementary School is located, providing education for the village's younger residents.
