Editing Lynn, Massachusetts (section)

===20th century===
Lynn experienced a wave of immigration during the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the 30 years between 1885 and 1915, Lynn's immigrant population increased from 9,800 to 29,500, representing nearly one-third of the city's total population.<ref name="jhcns.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.jhcns.org/Mostov-origins.html|title=The Jewish Heritage Center of the North Shore (Swampscott, Mass.)|work=jhcns.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619125739/http://www.jhcns.org/Mostov-origins.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Polish and Russian Jews were the largest single group, numbering more than 6,000.<ref name="jhcns.org" /> The first Jewish settlers in Lynn, a group of twenty Hasidic European families, mostly from Russia, formed the Congregation Anshai Sfard, a Hasidic, conservative Jewish synagogue in 1888.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digifindingaids.cjh.org/?pID=2188448|title=Guide to the Congregation Anshai Sfard (Lynn, Massachusetts) Records, undated, 1899–2001 [Bulk 1952–2001], I-556|work=cjh.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=September 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918022630/http://digifindingaids.cjh.org/?pID=2188448|url-status=live}}</ref>

Catholic churches catering to the needs of specific language and ethnic groups also testify to the waves of immigrants. St. Jean Baptiste parish, eventually including a grammar school and high school, was founded in 1886, primarily for French-Canadians. Holy Family Church conducted services in Italian beginning in 1922, and St. Michael's church also provided church services and a grammar school for the Polish-speaking community, beginning in 1906.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=12292&pid=1484|title=Archdiocese of Boston Ethnic Parishes|work=bostoncatholic.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806080630/http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=12292&pid=1484|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Patrick's church and school was a focus of the Irish-American community in Lynn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=12314&pid=1484|title=Archdiocese of Boston Sacramental Record Inventory – Parishes by City, H-Z|work=bostoncatholic.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806113803/http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=12314&pid=1484|url-status=live}}</ref> St. George's Greek Orthodox Church was founded in Lynn in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stgeorgelynn.org/history.html|title=St. George Greek Orthodox Church – Our Parish|work=stgeorgelynn.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429084654/http://stgeorgelynn.org/history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later in the 20th century, the city became an important center of greater Boston's Latino community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasquez |first=Daniel W. |date=January 2003 |title=Latinos in Lynn, Massachusetts |url=https://scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://en.wikipedia.org/&httpsredir=1&article=1087&context=gaston_pubs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819105450/http://scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=gaston_pubs |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |website=ScholarWorks at [[University of Massachusetts Boston]]}}</ref> Additionally, several thousand Cambodians settled in Lynn between 1975 and 1979 and in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pluralism.org/profile/sanghikaram-wat-khmer/|title=Sanghikaram Wat Khmer – The Pluralism Project|work=pluralism.org|access-date=July 3, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

At the beginning of the 20th century, Lynn was the world-leader in the production of shoes. 234 factories produced more than a million pairs of shoes each day, thanks in part to mechanization of the process by an African-American immigrant named [[Jan Ernst Matzeliger]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/inventor/jan-matzeliger|title=Jan Matzeliger|website=Biography|language=en-us|access-date=2019-10-23|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212060637/https://www.biography.com/inventor/jan-matzeliger|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1924 until 1974, the Lynn Independent Industrial Shoemaking School operated in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=lyn.479 |title=MACRIS Details |work=[[Massachusetts Historical Commission]] |access-date=2021-12-13 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213165812/https://mhc-macris.net/Details.aspx?MhcId=LYN.479 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merrellfootlab.com/training.htm|title=Merrell Footlab|work=merrellfootlab.com|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=June 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618222832/http://www.merrellfootlab.com/training.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, production declined throughout the 20th century, and the last shoe factory closed in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.wgbh.org/post/how-lynn-became-shoe-capitol-world|title=How Lynn Became The Shoe Capitol of the World|date=May 30, 2014|work=wgbh.org|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828133100/http://news.wgbh.org/post/how-lynn-became-shoe-capitol-world|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early 1900s, the Metropolitan District Commission acquired several coastal properties in Lynn and Nahant, in order to create [[Lynn Shore Reservation|Lynn Shore]] and [[Nahant Beach Reservation|Nahant Beach]] Reservations, and to construct adjoining [[Lynn Shore Drive]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/lynn-shore-and-nahant-beach-reservation.html|title=Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation|date=April 5, 2013|website=Energy and Environmental Affairs|access-date=July 4, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704195248/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/lynn-shore-and-nahant-beach-reservation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> When it opened to the public in 1910, Lynn Shore Drive catalyzed new development along Lynn's coastline, yielding many of the early 20th century structures that constitute a majority of the contributing resources found in the National Register-listed [[Diamond Historic District (Lynn, Massachusetts)|Diamond Historic District]].<ref name="cityoflynn.net"/>

In 1970, Massachusetts [[Rent control in Massachusetts|authorized rent control]] in municipalities with more than 50,000 residents.<ref name=enacted>{{cite web | url = https://rentcontrolhistory.com/chapters/rent-control-was-enacted-in-1920/ | title = Rent control was enacted in 1920. | publisher = Mass Landlords, Inc | accessdate = January 3, 2024 }}</ref> Voters in Lynn, Somerville, Brookline, and Cambridge subsequently adopted rent control.{{r|enacted}} Voters in Lynn approved a measure to continue rent control measures, which had been in place since February 1972, on November 7, 1972, by a 22,229 to 15,568 margin.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gerstel |first1=Steve |title=Nixon Waltzes But Party Out Of Step |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/947671905/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Daily Item |agency=United Press International |date=8 November 1972 |issue=128 ''Daily Evening Item'' |volume=181|ref=ballotmeasurerent |pages=1, 35 |language=en}}</ref> On June 4, 1974, the city council, led by mayor [[David L. Phillips]], voted 7–4 in favor of abolishing the existing rent control measures, replacing them with a "Rent Grievance and Elderly Assistance Board."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taglakis |first1=Tom |title=Rent Control Scuttled 7-4 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/947773886/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Daily Item |issue=222 ''Daily Evening Item'' |volume=184|date=5 June 1974 |pages=1, 12 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants-force-plain=Chisholm v. City Council of Lynn.|reporter=N.E.2d|court=Mass.|date=1975|opinion=529|pinpoint=368 Mass. 311|vol=331|url=http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/368/368mass311.html}}</ref>

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lynn suffered several large fires. On November 28, 1981, a devastating inferno engulfed several former shoe factories, located at Broad and Washington Streets. Seventeen downtown buildings were destroyed in less than twelve hours, with property losses estimated to be totaling at least {{US$|35000000|1981|round=-4|about=yes|long=no|link=yes}}. At least 18 businesses were affected, resulting in the estimated loss of 1,500 jobs.<ref>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Langer |date=1981-11-29 |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/1981/11/29/day_of_the_fire_storm_in_lynn/ |title=Day of the fire storm in Lynn |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=2023-01-18 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125084307/http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/1981/11/29/day_of_the_fire_storm_in_lynn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Lynn campus of the [[North Shore Community College]], planning for which was already underway at the time of the fire, now occupies much of the burned area.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sophie |last=Yarin |date=2021-11-28 |url=https://www.itemlive.com/2021/11/28/40-years-later-the-second-great-lynn-fire-revisited/ |title=40 Years Later: The Second Great Lynn Fire Revisited |work=Lynn Daily Item |access-date=2023-01-18 |quote=Today, North Shore Community College stands where a massive portion of the fire's damage was done. |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001013151/https://www.itemlive.com/2021/11/28/40-years-later-the-second-great-lynn-fire-revisited/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Lynn Washington St at Broad St.jpg|thumb|right|Lynn Washington Street at Broad Street]]
[[File:Lynn Shore Drive Looking South 04-23-17.jpg|thumb|right|alt=View over Lynn Shore Drive to Nahant and Boston|View over Lynn Shore Drive to Nahant and Boston]]
Some data suggest a reputation for crime and vice in Lynn.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Historic Shops & Restaurants of Boston|last=Méras|first=Phyllis|year=2007|page=56}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=288018|title=Don't Leave New England Families Out in the Cold|last=Kerry|first=John|date=November 27, 2007|work=United States Senate|access-date=2010-01-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106003358/http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=288018|archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref>

In order to counter its reputation as "the city of sin", Lynn launched a "City Of Firsts" advertising campaign in the early 1990s, which promoted Lynn as having:{{Citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Need source for campaign being launched in early 1990s}}
* [[Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site|First iron works]] (1643)<ref name="firsts"/>
* First fire engine (1654)
* First electric [[List of streetcar systems in the United States#Massachusetts|streetcar to operate in Massachusetts]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf4.htm#famousfirsts |title=Famous Firsts in Massachusetts |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=History of Massachusetts |publisher=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |access-date=2019-10-20 |quote=1888 The first electric trolley in the state runs in Lynn. |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728213457/http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf4.htm#famousfirsts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="firsts">{{cite web |url=http://www.lynnma.gov/about/history.shtml |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF LYNN |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=About Lynn |publisher=City of Lynn |access-date=2019-10-19 |quote=The first Electric Trolley in the state ran from Lynn in 1888 |archive-date=October 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005040951/http://www.lynnma.gov/about/history.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> (November 19, 1888<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=zYVMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA303 The Thomson-Houston Road at Lynn, Mass.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215201535/https://books.google.com/books?id=zYVMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA303 |date=February 15, 2023 }}'', The Electrical World, December 8, 1888, page 303</ref><ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Dzs8AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA21 Electric Railway at Lynn, Mass.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215201536/https://books.google.com/books?id=Dzs8AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA21#v=onepage&f=true |date=February 15, 2023 }}'', Electric Power, January 1889, page 21</ref>)
* First American jet engine<ref name="firsts"/>
* First woman in advertising & mass-marketing&nbsp;– [[Lydia Pinkham]]<ref name="firsts"/>
* First baseball game under artificial light{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* First dance academy in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* First [[Tanning (leather)|tannery]] in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf4.htm#famousfirsts |title=Famous Firsts in Massachusetts |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=History of Massachusetts |publisher=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |access-date=2019-10-20 |quote=1629 The first tannery in the U.S. began operations in Lynn. |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728213457/http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cismaf/mf4.htm#famousfirsts |url-status=live }}</ref>
* First [[Airmail|air mail]] transport in New England, from Saugus, MA to Lynn, MA<ref name="firsts"/>
* First roast beef sandwich{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* First tulip in the United States, at the Fay Estate near [[Spring Pond]]{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In a further effort to rebrand the municipality, city solicitor Michael Barry proposed renaming the city Ocean Park in 1997, but the initiative was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8408766.html|title=Rhyme may be reason to change Lynn's name|last=Daley|first=Beth|date=March 6, 1997|newspaper=Boston Globe|access-date=2010-01-13}}</ref>

Despite losing much of its industrial base during the 20th century, Lynn remained home to many companies, such as:

* A division of [[General Electric Aviation]], focused on manufacturing jet engines<ref>{{Cite book |last=Leyes |first=Richard A. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/42296510 |title=The history of North American small gas turbine aircraft engines |date=1999 |publisher=AIAA |others=William A. Fleming, National Air and Space Museum |isbn=1-56347-332-1 |location=Reston, Va. |pages=238 |oclc=42296510}}</ref>
* West Lynn Creamery (now part of [[Dean Foods]]'s Garelick Farms unit) 
* C. L. Hauthaway & Sons, a polymer producer
* Old Neighborhood Foods, a meat packer
* Lynn Manufacturing, a maker of combustion chambers for the oil and gas heating industry
* Sterling Machine Co.
* Durkee-Mower, makers of [[Marshmallow creme|"Marshmallow Fluff"]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind the Marshmallow Curtain: A Look Inside Lynn's Marshmallow Fluff Factory |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2014/09/24/visit-marshmallow-fluff-factory/ |website=Boston Magazine |date=24 September 2014 |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127235919/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2014/09/24/visit-marshmallow-fluff-factory/ |url-status=live }}</ref>