The Town of Needham is located on rocky uplands within a loop of the
Charles River, almost isolated from the surrounding countryside. Though
the area was used for some grazing by Dedham residents and some land grants
were made, the river served as an effective barrier and the town was slow
to develop. Early settlers relied primarily on agriculture and grazing
plus some winter lumbering with orchards and tanneries as supplements. Saw
mills and grist mills were opened by a number of settlers along the Charles
through the 18th century.
Extension of the railroad and land speculation encouraged settlement, and
the town saw the growth of industrial employment and production at the same
time during the mid-19th century. Needham manufacturers made knit goods,
underwear, hats, shoes and silk, although attempts to cultivate silk worms
were short-lived.
Land speculation, housing development and knitted underwear continued to be
the foundation of Needham’s economy into the 20th century, with the famous
William Carter Corporation prominent in the children’s knitwear industry.
The construction of Route 128 in 1931 opened portions of the town to
development as part of the hi-tech highway in the post-World War II
electronic industrial boom. Modern Needham remains a pleasant heavily
suburban community with good access to Boston for commuters and a
significant number of local job slots.
Charles River, almost isolated from the surrounding countryside. Though
the area was used for some grazing by Dedham residents and some land grants
were made, the river served as an effective barrier and the town was slow
to develop. Early settlers relied primarily on agriculture and grazing
plus some winter lumbering with orchards and tanneries as supplements. Saw
mills and grist mills were opened by a number of settlers along the Charles
through the 18th century.
Extension of the railroad and land speculation encouraged settlement, and
the town saw the growth of industrial employment and production at the same
time during the mid-19th century. Needham manufacturers made knit goods,
underwear, hats, shoes and silk, although attempts to cultivate silk worms
were short-lived.
Land speculation, housing development and knitted underwear continued to be
the foundation of Needham’s economy into the 20th century, with the famous
William Carter Corporation prominent in the children’s knitwear industry.
The construction of Route 128 in 1931 opened portions of the town to
development as part of the hi-tech highway in the post-World War II
electronic industrial boom. Modern Needham remains a pleasant heavily
suburban community with good access to Boston for commuters and a
significant number of local job slots.
