Webster (Images of America)

Webster, located in south central Massachusetts, is home to the glacially created Webster Lake. The lake, famously known as Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, was responsible for sustaining a significant Native American population. Its waterpower potential attracted Samuel Slater, "the father of American manufacturers," to locate his textile mills here, and in 1832, at Slater's behest, the towns of Oxford and Dudley reluctantly granted the land for Webster's formation. Many immigrants were attracted to the town because of mill employment and the pleasant living conditions near the lake. Through vintage photographs, Webster highlights this town's mill life and the lake's impact on its development.