This chapter describes the industries of Franklin County, Massachusetts, before the Great Depression of 1929-1940. The depression would force a number of these businesses to close, or be forced to drastically cut back production. However, some would revive and new ones would be born once the United States entered World War II (1939-1945.) In the postwar years would come more economic changes to the county as industries consolidated production, shipped jobs to low-wage countries, or closed their doors altogether as cheaper manufactured goods came from overseas. However, some local companies such the Lamson & Goodnow Cutlery Works of Shelburne Falls (now in Buckland and known as “Lamson”) and the Erving Paper MIills (now Erving Industries) would survive.
Stone, Orra L. [Franklin County Industries in “History of Massachusetts Industries” Vol. I.] S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1930. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l02-055/. Accessed on April 13, 2025.
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