City of Holyoke

The City of Holyoke is a city government based in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Employing 188 people, the city generates an annual revenue of $6.9 million. The city's history is deeply intertwined with the power of the Connecticut River. From its founding in 1847, Holyoke was designed as a planned industrial community, with merchant investors developing a dam and canal system to harness the river's energy. This infrastructure supported a vast complex of mills and worker housing, shaping the city's development. While many of these original mills and industries have since transformed, the city has preserved and revitalized numerous historic structures, commemorating its industrial heritage. Holyoke's founding was marked by the construction of a granite dam and a multi-level canal system, taking advantage of a 57-foot drop in the Connecticut River. This innovative system distributed the river's power to dozens of mill facilities located throughout the downtown area. For inquiries, visit the city's website at holyoke.org.