Community Innovator

An estimated 18,113 people reside in Hudson, a town with a layered past that spans all the way back to the early 1600s. Farming was the first means of commerce, but Hudson quickly developed a tradition for innovation in industry. In 1810, Phineas Sawyer established the first cotton mill in Massachusetts. Hudson later became the state’s leading producer of shoes, and by the late 1800s, the manufacturing of rubber products was the town’s largest industry.

Hudson had strong ties to the abolitionist movement, with several homes serving as stops on the Underground Railroad. The Goodale House was one such home, and still stands today as Hudson’s oldest known residence.

Hudson today reflects its distinguished past through its many historic homes and businesses and a recently revitalized downtown business area. A diverse community, exceptional education facilities, and continued success in business and industry keep Hudson prosperous.