NORTHAMPTON

county, eastern Pennsylvania, U.S., bounded by Blue Mountain to the northwest, New Jersey to the east (the Delaware River constituting the border), and the Lehigh River to the southwest. The hilly terrain rises to Blue Mountain, along which runs the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Other streams include Martins, Monocacy, and Saucon creeks; Bushkill Creek runs through Jacobsburg State Park. Founded by Moravians in 1741, Bethlehem is known for its architecture and musical tradition and is the home of Moravian College (founded 1742) and Lehigh University (founded 1865). Shared by Northampton and Lehigh counties, the city became industrialized with the advent of the Lehigh Canal (1829) and the formation of the Saucona Iron Company (1857), which Charles M. Schwab later transformed into the Bethlehem Steel Corporation (1904). The county was formed in 1751 and named for Northampton, Eng. Easton, the county seat and home of Lafayette College (1826), is part of the Lehigh Valley industrial complex with Bethlehem and neighbouring Allentown. The county's economy is based on manufacturing (textiles and plastic products), services (education and health care), and agriculture (field crops and fruit). Area 374 square miles (968 square km). Pop. (1990) 247,105; (1996 est.) 257,719. city, seat (1662) of Hampshire county, west-central Massachusetts, U.S. It lies along the Connecticut River, 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Springfield. The site, originally known as Nonotuck (an Algonquian word meaning middle of the river), was settled in 1654 and named for Northampton, England. It subsequently became a self-sufficient farming community. During King Philip's War (167576) and Queen Anne's War (170213), the area was the scene of brutal raids. In one such attack (May 1704), half the population of the nearby village of Pascommuck (now in Easthampton) was slaughtered. A woolen mill was established in 1809, and, connected to the Connecticut communities by canal (1834) and by railroad (1845), Northampton developed as a manufacturing centre, particularly for silk (which has since declined). Great impetus was given to Northampton's growth by the establishment there in 1875 of Smith College, an exclusive school for women. President Calvin Coolidge, who practiced law in Northampton, served as mayor (191011) and died there in 1933; the Forbes Library (1893) houses a collection of Coolidge memorabilia. The city's economy is now dependent on services (education and health care) and trade. Manufactures include plastic moldings, electronic equipment, and heat sensing devices. Look Memorial Park is a popular recreational area. Inc. town, 1655; city, 1883. Pop. (1990) 29,289; (1996 est.) 28,838. town and borough (district), administrative and historic county of Northamptonshire, in the Midlands region of England. Originating around 1100 as a walled town with a castle on the River Nene, Northampton was granted its first charter in 1189. The town walls survived until the Restoration (1660) after the English Civil Wars; they were then demolished because Northampton had sided with Parliament and against the king. The railway station now occupies the site of the old castle. Much of the town was destroyed by fire in 1675. Rebuilding continued through the 18th century, providing the town with a fine range of buildings surrounding the large market square, with the focal point at All Saints Church. A Roman Catholic bishopric was founded in 1850, and the cathedral was begun in 1864 and completed in 1960. The Guildhall also dates from 1864. Northampton is best known for its shoe and leather industry. Other industries include light engineering, primarily related to electronics, and brewing. The town is also an important retail and market centre serving Northamptonshire and North Buckinghamshire. Northampton was designated a planned new town in 1965, and expansion followed. Great Brington Church lies 6 miles (10 km) to the northwest. Area 31 square miles (81 square km). Pop. (1998 est.) 195,800.