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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.
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.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.