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Gloversville is a city in Fulton County, New York, that was once the hub of America's glovemaking industry with over two hundred manufacturers in Gloversville and Johnstown. In 2000, Gloversville had a population of 15,413. History
The region, known as "Kingsborough" was acquired by Sir William Johnson. In 1752, Arent Stevens bought land. Puritans from New England settled there at the end of the 18th century. At first the town was known as "Stump City" because after the land was cleared for development, there were stumps left from the trees. The proximity of forests to supply bark for tanning made the community a center of leather production early in its history. It earned its name for being the center of the American glove making industry for many years. Upon the establishment of a United States Post Office in 1828, Gloversville became the official name of the community. During the heyday of glove production in the 20th century, Gloversville's factories and shops produced one out of every three gloves in the world. Gloves are still produced there, but on a smaller scale. Large tanneries and glove shops employed nearly 80% of the residents of Gloversville and environs. Home workers sewed the gloves from leather that had been cut in factories. Related businesses, such as box makers, sewing machine repairmen, and thread dealers opened to serve the industry. Until 1936, Gloversville had a very active electric interurban line, the Fonda, Johnstown, and Gloversville. It ran from Gloversville, through Johnstown, along the Mohawk River to Amsterdam, and then to Scotia, across the Hudson River, and into downtown Schenectady to the New York Central station. In 1932 in a bold move during the Depression it acquired unique Bullet cars in an attempt to revive business. Passenger service ended in 1936, but freight operation continued.[ref. 2] Gloversville was incorporated as a village in 1851. The current mayor of Gloversville is Timothy Hughes. He began his four-year term on January 1, 2006. Notable residentsLegendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn lived here prior to his moving to Hollywood. He immigrated from birthplace Poland to Canada, and in 1899 as Sam Goldfish he walked through snow into the United States at an unmanned border point in rural Maine. Eventually making his way to Gloversville, the intelligent and ambitious Goldfish went from glove maker to well paid commissioned salesman for the Elite Glove Company. Going to New York City and making a financial investment with others in the infant movie business, he eventually went to Hollywood and to a succssessful and industry contentious career as film producer Sam Goldwyn.[ref. 1] Gloversville is also the main headquarters for the Schine movie industry. The Schine's revered The Glove Theatre as the favorite of all of the movie houses that they owned. Hollywood movies would sometimes premier in Gloversville before they opened in California. Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo (Empire Falls,"Nobody's Fool".The Risk Pool) was raised in Gloversville. The city and its residents were the inspiration for many of his characters and locations in his novels; especially his novel "Mohawk." Actress Elizabeth Anne Allen, who played Amy Madison on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was also raised in Gloversville. Frederick Remington, artist, was a one-time resident. Debra Fox, Long time newscast anchor at WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (Retired), Currently President of Fox Learning Systems an e-learning company. Debra Fox was raised in Gloversville. Research Tips
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