Leicester, incorporated in 1713, is a town steeped in early American and industrial history. Originally purchased from the Nipmuc people (who called the area Towtaid), the town was named after Leicester, England, and was instrumental in the farm-to-factory transition of the region. Though surrounded by agricultural land, Leicester’s many brooks and streams made it a center for manufacturing. Its most famous industry was the production of hand cards, the wire brushes used to prepare fibers for spinning, and for a time, one-third of all machine and hand cards in North America were produced here. Leicester’s native son, Pliny Earle, even helped Samuel Slater get his carding machine running, marking a key moment in the start of America’s Industrial Revolution. The town also played a significant role in both the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. It was a Leicester resident, Colonel William Henshaw, who is credited with coining the term “minutemen” in 1774.

Today, Leicester is a suburban community for Worcester commuters, but its industrial past is still visible in the historic mill villages like Rochdale. While the last large textile factory closed in 1991, the town now supports over 300 smaller businesses and maintains its rural character with farms and three golf courses. Much of its history is preserved, with the Town Common area designated as a National Register Historic District—a nice place to stroll, provided you don’t mind walking in the shadow of a truly impressive amount of antique carding technology.