Williston Mills, organized by Mr. Williston to produce cotton yarn, dissolved in 1892. It was succeeded by the Easthampton Spinning Company, which closed in 1899. In June 1899 the Spinning Company property was acquired by the West Boylston Mfg. Co. The building below the dam, constructed by Mr. Williston, was sold to the Hampton Company interests. Thus was laid the foundation for the extensive operations of both companies, which are no longer in business but have left facilities used or usable by others.
In 1904 the parish of Notre Dame du Bon Conseil was organized and built its first church on Union Street, to be succeeded by the present building on Pleasant Street.
The Sacred Heart Parish was formed in 1909 with a building at the corner of Franklin Street and Knipfer Avenue. The first burial in its St. Stanislaus Cemetery was in October 1923.
World War I took its toll. Six hundred eighty-seven were listed as going from the town into the armed forces. The monument on the library lawn gives the names and lists those lost during hostilities.
The United Button Co., successor to S. Williston & Co., closed its doors in 1922.
In 1927 The Glendale Elastic Fabrics Co., The George S. Colton Elastic Company, and some out of town companies united to form The United Elastic Corporation, with control of The Easthampton Rubber Thread Co.
In 1935 the town adopted the representative form of government thus making the first change since the original incorporation.
Natural calamities, including the floods of 1927 and 1936, the hurricane of 1938, and the flash flood of 1955, created serious problems but these were met in due time by the authorities and excellent community spirit.
The thoughts and energies of the people during the early 1940'S were devoted to World War II and its needs. Fifteen hundred and sixty
three men and women entered the service. A tablet in commemoration of their service has been placed on the town hall.
The Korean war drew more people into the service of the country.
An outstanding local event was the removal in 1950 of Williston Academy from the "old" campus on Main Street to the new campus, which had been in the process of development on Park Street for many years. Ford Hall had been built in 1917 and the recreation center in 1929.
The old Seminary buildings were removed and replaced by various commercial buildings including the current home of Big E grocery.
A new high school building, opened in September 1962, provided
a much-needed addition to the excellent public school system.
As we look about, we can see the results of steady progress in the advancement of our school system, streets, utilities, industries, stores and homes, and realize that they are the results of the day-to-day activities and interests of able and willing men and women who have toiled since 1664 to make this a town of which Payson Lyman could write, as he did in 1866: "This thriving town is beautifully situated."
