LEOMINSTER

town (parish), unitary authority and historic county of Herefordshire, England, situated on the River Lugg, a tributary of the Wye. A religious house was founded on the site in 660, and the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul was the former priory church. The town was incorporated in 1554 and was a centre for the wool trade from the 13th to the 18th century. The contemporary economy is based on agricultural produce and livestock, and there are cattle and sheep markets. Agricultural implements are manufactured. Half-timbered houses include the reconstructed 17th-century town hall. Pop. (1991) 9,543. city, Worcester county, north-central Massachusetts, U.S. It lies on the Nashua River, just southeast of Fitchburg and about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Boston. The site, purchased from the Nashua Indians in 1701, was originally part of Lancaster. It was separately incorporated as a town in 1740 and named for Leominster, England. Combs were first made there in 1775 by Obadia Hills from animal horns, and the manufacture of combs subsequently became the leading economic activity. After the introduction of celluloid as a material for comb making in the 20th century, a more diversified economy developed. The local economy is now based on the manufacture of plastic articles, machinery, and other products, although services and trade are also major sources of employment. Leominster was the birthplace of the traveling orchardist John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed), and Johnny Appleseed Civic Day is celebrated in June. Recreational lands include the Lane-Comerford Area; the Notown, Haynes, and Fall Brook reservoirs; and Leominster State Forest, which has nearly 7 square miles (18 square km) of woodlands and lakes. The scenic highway known as the Mohawk Trail is another attraction. Inc. city, 1915. Pop. (1990) city, 38,145; Fitchburg-Leominster PMSA, 102,797; (1996 est.) city, 39,263; (1994 est.) Fitchburg-Leominster PMSA, 139,435.