Following the success of this venture, several new industrial operations were created near Nashawannuck Pond. In 1848, the Nashawannuck Manufacturing Company, an elastic company was opened. After that, the Glendale Company, another elastic maker was established, first in the village of Glendale, and then in Easthampton. The Easthampton Rubber Thread was created to make rubber fabric. The George Colton Elastic Mill became the third maker.  At the lower millpond, the Williston Mills were incorporated to manufacture cloth from cotton.

Many new residents moved to town to seek employment at the mills. Several social changes occurred as the town's population grew. The first high school was established in 1864.  The first national bank began the same year. The Easthampton Savings Bank was established in 1869.  A modern town hall was dedicated in 1869.  This building still serves as the seat of government today by 1871, the railroads began to make regular scheduled runs through town.  The public library was established in 1881.  Streetcars began operating in 1895, the same year as the telephone system began.  More importantly, new churches were established as a second Congregational Church was followed by Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans and the first Catholic Parish. 

By 1899, the economic and social fabric of the town underwent major changes.  Two major employers moved to Easthampton.  One company, the West Boylston Manufacturing Company produced cloth from cotton, while the second company, the Hampton Company, processed cloth by dying, mercerizing, or bleaching cloth.  These companies recruited many new residents to town, including French-Canadians and Polish.  The West Boylston built three model mill villages for their employees.

Another major change occurred in 1912, when Glendale purchased the Nashawannuck Company.  All the local mills were able to secure federal war contracts during World War I, and prospered.

Following the war, the town faced difficulties in adjusting to the post war economy.  The West Boylston laid off many employees, lost contracts, and by 1927, began looking for a buyer for their mills.  They also began a Montgomery Alabama branch, and finally closed Easthampton in 1931.

The Nashawannuck Pond industries also faced uncertainties.  The Williston Knight Button Company, then known as the United Button Company, closed in 1922.  In 1927,  The Glendale and the Colton, after years of competition, decided to merge with the Conant-Houghton mills of Littleton and Lowell, formed the United Elastic Corporation, with the Easthampton Rubber Thread became a subsidiary of the United Elastic.

The post World War I depression hit Easthampton early and hard.  Many left town at that time, seeking employment elsewhere, as several mills, especially the former West Boylston, stood empty for years. 

A third economic boom came with World War II, as defense contracts were awarded to several local industries.  Cardanic, G.E., Textron, and Campagna Corporation, a maker of pre-fab housing for the European War Theatre all set up mills in Easthampton.  Both the United Elastic and the Hampton also obtained war contracts.

This boom continued after the war.  Stanley Home Products arrived in 1947, and with their Stanley Home Parties, offered many jobs for local employees.  A new trend began at this time, as many began using their cars in order to take jobs out of town.

The end of this economic prosperity began in 1962, as the Hampton Company closed.  By 1971, the Glendale division of the United Elastic closed.  In 1995, Stanley Home Products also closed.

Yet the town continues to adopt and grow.  In the early 1970s, in the "Plains" section of town, a major sub-division was built off Plain street.  In the O'Neil Street industrial park, Tubed Products constructed a major mill and employed several hundred. 

In 1996, the town of Easthampton took the first step in becoming a city as a new charter was passed and a mayor became the chief executive.  Three years later,  Easthampton officially became a city and looks toward the 21st century with renewed optimism.

History provided by Edward Dwyer