LUDLOW

town (township), Hampden county, south-central Massachusetts, U.S. It is located on the Chicopee River, just northeast of Springfield. Settled about 1751, it was known as Stony Hill until 1774, when it was renamed (probably for Ludlow, England) and incorporated, becoming set off from Springfield because of difficulties in crossing the river between the two places. Formerly an independent milling town, Ludlow now has a mixed economy with some light manufacturing. The Hampden County Correctional Center is a major employer. Ludlow's recreational areas include two state forests and a state park. Indian Leap, a rocky cliff on the Chicopee, is said to be the site where a band of Indians, led by Roaring Thunder, jumped into the water to escape their pursuers during King Philip's War (167576). Area 28 square miles (73 square km). Pop. (1990) town, 18,820; Springfield MSA, 587,884; (1996 est.) town, 18,786; Springfield MSA, 576,961. town (parish), South Shropshire district, administrative and historic county of Shropshire, England, on the River Teme. A castle, occupying a commanding position, was probably begun in 1085 by Roger de Lacy; it fell into ruin in the 18th century. The planned town was laid out in 12th-century grid fashion sometime after the castle was built; the town's first charter was granted in 1189. The burgesses owed most of their privileges to their allegiance to the house of York. In 1461, when King Edward IV ascended the throne, the castle became royal property, and the town received a royal charter. Because of its strong position, Ludlow was the final Shropshire fortress to yield (1646) to Parliamentary forces during the English Civil Wars. The greater portion of the old town wall, together with one of the original seven gates, still remains. The town has many fine half-timbered buildings and several Georgian houses. The parish church of St. Lawrence is of great size with a lofty central tower and some 14th- and 15th-century glass; the ashes of A.E. Housman, the poet, are buried in the churchyard. The medieval Ludford bridge over the Teme has been declared an ancient monument. Ludlow is a thriving market town, noted for the sale of Hereford cattle. It is also a tourist centre. Apart from light engineering, industries are mostly agricultural. Pop. (1991) 9,040.