Originally part of Lancaster, Leominster incorporated as a separate town in 1740 and remained a small farming community until the early 19th century when its economy shifted to manufacturing.

Many diverse industries established themselves in Leominster, but it was the comb industry that flourished so much so that Leominster became known as “The Comb City.” The availability of the natural materials to make combs, such as animal horns and hoove,s became scarce in the mid-1800s, but a new material, celluloid, was invented, revolutionizing the industry. In 1931, Leominster resident Samuel Foster introduced modern injection molding to the city, and Leominster became known as the “Pioneer Plastics City” for its important role in the development of the plastics industry.

Today Leominster is the second largest city in Worcester County and has been designated a Massachusetts Gateway City.