In 1926, the Town of Upton had a population of approximately 2,000 people (today’s population is 7,540) and it was home to the largest women’s hat factory in the world. The following is additional information about the town 100 years ago, as compiled by the Upton Historical Society. 

Upton Grange is Incorporated 

On April 3, 1926, the Upton Grange #125 was legally incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts. Also in 1926, the Grange purchased the Upton Center Schoolhouse which was originally built in 1851. This was Upton’s first public school house for primary and intermediate grades and then the first high school in 1869. This historic building housed the local Grange chapter, and it has been used continuously for monthly meetings, functions, agricultural fairs, and community-based economic development opportunities. The Grange is the oldest family organization in Upton. Originally the Farmers Club was started in 1866, which became the Grange in 1885. Note, the Grange was the first national organization to grant women the right to vote, 60 years before the adoption of Universal Suffrage in the United States.

The William Knowlton & Sons Hat Factory Transitioned 

From 1833-1835, William Knowlton and Col. Elijah Stoddard partnered to build and run a general store that specialized in domestic straw goods and manufactured straw bonnets. In 1835-1845 Knowlton partnered with Capt. William Legg and then for a short time Knowlton partnered with Joseph Farnum. The business evolved from a local cottage industry, where many Upton women braided straw hats in their homes, into the world’s largest women’s hat factory. The William Knowlton & Sons Hat Factory (5.2-acre industrial site) became the largest women's hat factory in the world and sold under many labels to high end retailers from NY to Paris, during its peak in the late 19th century. 

In 1926, the major economic industries in Upton were the hat factory, woodworking and agriculture. The business remained in the Knowlton family until 1926 when they sold their hat factory to the Merrimac Hat Corp, which was founded in 1850 in Amesbury, MA. This was a significant transition for the town's primary industry from a local family-owned business for over 90 years to a corporation based outside of Upton. The Upton site produced Ladies Wool Bodies, Ladies Wool Hats, Ladies Fur Hats and Ladies Straw Hats for the Merrimac Hat Corp. The factory employed nearly 1,000 workers (about 40% of Upton’s residents) and continued to operate until 1972, under two other companies. 

Upton Fire Dept modernized its firefighting equipment

On Jan 3, 1925, tragedy stuck the Town of Upton and its Fire Department. Arthur E. King, who served 25 years as a fireman and chief was killed when his own home caught fire on Grove Street. Following the fire, Chief Edward Baker, who served 35 years (14 as chief), returned home ill. It is believed that he suffered a heart attack during the blaze. Chief Baker immediately saw the need to purchase a new pumper after the tragedy. Chief Baker ordered the state-of-the-art Howe-Reo Speedwagon, a triple combination pumper from his brother William Baker who represented the Howe Fire Apparatus Company in Indiana. Tragedy would once again strike Upton on March 10, 1925, when Chief Baker perished in the line of duty, before the pumper was delivered. 

Upton purchased the state-of-the-art Howe-Reo triple combination pumper for $5,000, which was placed into service in 1926 and served the town until 1952. The Howe-Reo triple combination pumper is an example of 20th century innovation to modernize firefighting. The fire engine was a combination of a commercially available Reo Speedwagon chassis with Howe Fire Apparatus mounted to the chassis. Howe was an innovator and built the first motor pumping engine in 1905. The term “triple combination” refers to the fire apparatus having a pump, water or chemical tank and a hose body making it very versatile. The fire dept. was no longer dependent upon watering holes, wells and streams to fight fires with their new triple combination pumper.

Compiled by the Upton Historical Society (Jan. 2026)