Lowell

by The Linguist

With a population of over 110,000 as of the 2020 census, Lowell is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts and the second largest in the northern part of the state. Located along the rapids of the Merrimack River, Lowell was an early hub of the American Industrial Revolution and is home to many historic textile mills.

History

Lowell was founded in the 1820s as a planned manufacturing community led by Boston merchant Francis Cabot Lowell. Taking advantage of the available water power from canal systems stemming from the Merrimack River, Lowell created a new factory model combining large mechanized textile mills, female laborers, and boardinghouses built near the mills to house workers. This was revolutionary at a time when textile manufacturing was still based in homes.

As Lowell’s mills grew, so did the population. Thousands of young women, nicknamed “Lowell Mill Girls”, flocked from rural towns across New England to work in the mills and earn their own wages. Lowell became an important early testing ground for new industrial ideas and labor policies.

Although Lowell’s importance as a textile manufacturing center declined as mills moved south in the early 20th century, the city continued to diversify its economy around high tech and healthcare. Many of the historic mill buildings have been preserved today as monuments to Lowell’s industrial past.

Economy and Major Employers

Originally reliant on the textile and manufacturing industries, Lowell has transitioned to an economy based around technology, healthcare, education, and retail. The city’s location along major transportation routes has also made it a vital hub of regional commerce.

Some of the top employers in Lowell today include:

  • Lowell General Hospital – A major regional healthcare provider with over 4,000 employees.
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell – A public research university with over 1,300 faculty and over 11,000 undergraduate students.
  • Micron Technology – Semiconductor chip maker with a major facility in Lowell employing around 2,500 people.
  • Raytheon – Major defense contractor with a campus in Lowell focused on radars, sensors, and cybersecurity.
  • City of Lowell – The city government provides public services and employs over 2,000 workers.

In addition to large institutions and high tech manufacturing, Lowell also has a thriving small business community. The city’s economy has diversified beyond just manufacturing to include sectors like financial services, healthcare, education, and retail.

Points of Interest

Lowell has emerged as a popular tourist destination in Massachusetts, known for its history and culture. Some highlights include:

Lowell National Historical Park

This National Park Service site preserves Lowell’s history as an early American industrial city. The park includes guided tours of restored textile mills, canal walkways, and exhibits on the Industrial Revolution and immigrant labor history.

New England Quilt Museum

Located in downtown Lowell, this museum collects and displays quilts as examples of art and craft. Featured exhibits highlight the role of quilting in American history and culture.

Whistler House Museum of Art

Home of influential American painter James McNeill Whistler in the late 1800s, this restored house showcases Whistler-related art in a Victorian-style setting.

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

Modern multi-use indoor arena that hosts hockey games, concerts, family shows, conventions, and other major events.

Lowell Spinners

Class A short season minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The Spinners play at LeLacheur Park in downtown Lowell.

Culture and Entertainment

Known for its diversity, Lowell has a vibrant culture scene and lively entertainment options. The city hosts various festivals celebrating food, music, art, and local heritage throughout the year. Lowell is also home to performance venues, museums, restaurants, and nightlife.

Annual events include:

  • Lowell Folk Festival – Three day free folk music festival in late July.
  • Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival
  • Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race
  • Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival – Honoring Beat Generation writer and Lowell native Jack Kerouac.

Lowell has produced many noteworthy figures in art, literature, music, and science, including Jack Kerouac, painter James McNeill Whistler, songwriter Perry Como, and astronaut Richard Mastracchio.

Local Sports

In addition to the popular Lowell Spinners baseball team, Lowell also has minor league hockey and indoor football teams:

The University of Massachusetts Lowell athletic program also fields 18 NCAA Division I teams. The River Hawks compete in sports like hockey, basketball, soccer, and track and field.

Education

Lowell’s public school system serves over 14,000 students across 34 schools, including several nationally recognized magnet schools focused on fields like health sciences, environmental studies, and the humanities. Lowell High School is one of the largest in Massachusetts with over 3,000 students.

Lowell is also home to an extensive network of colleges and universities, including:

Transportation

Lowell is conveniently located at the crossroads of major transportation routes in northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. These include:

  • Interstate 495
  • U.S. Route 3
  • Massachusetts Route 3
  • Massachusetts Route 110
  • MBTA Commuter Rail
  • Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) – Local bus system

Lowell National Historical Park operates the Lowell Canal System Boat Tour seasonally along the city’s restored canal and Merrimack River.

Lowell International Airport offers regional flights and air services.

The city is around 30 miles northwest of Boston, making it easily accessible from around New England.

Moving to Lowell

Known as an immigrant city historically, Lowell continues to be a popular destination for new residents. Affordable housing, employment opportunities, cultural diversity, and historic character attract many people to Lowell.

The city provides resources for new residents on topics like visiting, living, working, and doing business in Lowell. Public services like schools, transportation, utilities, public safety, and parks and recreation help make Lowell an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Lowell Resources