City of Peabody history

In addition to many historic houses, Salem contains the Peabody Museum (1799) and the Essex Institute (1848). Coastal resort communities rich in maritime history and architectural tradition include Gloucester, Manchester, Marblehead, Rockport, and Newburyport.

1868 – Change in name from South Danvers to Peabody.

When Peabody died in 1869, he became the first American to be given a funeral service in Westminster Abbey.

In 1876, Reed sold the pottery to Moses B. Paige.

The Civic Center District comprised of twenty-eight structures surrounding its centerpiece, the Peabody City Hall, which was built in 1883.

In 1894, Arthur C. Lawrence established his A. C. Lawrence Leather Company.

By 1914, Peabody and Philadelphia were the largest leather producing cities on the east coast.

It then broke away from Danvers to become South Danvers in 1855. It would then be incorporated into a city in 1916.

In 1919, Peabody was recognized as the world’s largest producer of leather, and was widely referred to as “The Leather City.” At this time, there were 91 establishments dedicated to the production and processing of leather.

The retail industry has thrived in Peabody since the opening of the North Shore Mall in 1958, which was then the largest shopping center in New England.