Binghamton incorporated as a city in 1867 and, due to the presence of several stately homes, was nicknamed the Parlor City.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many immigrants moved to the area, finding an abundance of jobs.
 During the 1880s, Binghamton grew to become the second-largest manufacturer of cigars in the United States.
However, by the early 1920s, the major employer of the region became Endicott Johnson, a shoe manufacturer whose development of welfare capitalism resulted in many amenities for local residents.
An even larger influx of Europeans immigrated to Binghamton, and the working class prosperity resulted in the area being called the Valley of Opportunity.

In 1913, 31 people perished in the Binghamton Clothing Company fire, which resulted in numerous reforms to the New York fire code.
Major floods in 1935 and 1936 resulted in a number of deaths, and washed out the Ferry Street Bridge (now the Clinton Street Bridge).
 The floods were devastating, and resulted in the construction of flood walls along the length of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers.

During the Second World War, growth and corporate generosity continued as IBM, which was founded in greater Binghamton, emerged as a global technology leader.
Along with Edwin Link's invention of the flight simulator in Binghamton, IBM transitioned the region to a high-tech economy.
 Other major manufacturers included Ansco and General Electric.
Until the Cold War ended, the area never experienced an economic downfall, due in part to its defense-oriented industries.
The population of the city of Binghamton peaked at around 85,000 in the mid-1950s.
Binghamton incorporated as a city in 1867 and, due to the presence of several stately homes, was nicknamed the Parlor City. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many immigrants moved to the area, finding an abundance of jobs.  During the 1880s, Binghamton grew to become the second-largest manufacturer of cigars in the United States. However, by the early 1920s, the major employer of the region became Endicott Johnson, a shoe manufacturer whose development of welfare capitalism resulted in many amenities for local residents. An even larger influx of Europeans immigrated to Binghamton, and the working class prosperity resulted in the area being called the Valley of Opportunity.
In 1913, 31 people perished in the Binghamton Clothing Company fire, which resulted in numerous reforms to the New York fire code. Major floods in 1935 and 1936 resulted in a number of deaths, and washed out the Ferry Street Bridge (now the Clinton Street Bridge).  The floods were devastating, and resulted in the construction of flood walls along the length of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers.
During the Second World War, growth and corporate generosity continued as IBM, which was founded in greater Binghamton, emerged as a global technology leader. Along with Edwin Link's invention of the flight simulator in Binghamton, IBM transitioned the region to a high-tech economy.  Other major manufacturers included Ansco and General Electric. Until the Cold War ended, the area never experienced an economic downfall, due in part to its defense-oriented industries. The population of the city of Binghamton peaked at around 85,000 in the mid-1950s.
Binghamton, New York