Shawsheen Village Historic District

Shawsheen Village Historic District is a residential community in Andover featuring around 353 buildings in Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, and Craftsman styles. The district includes a commercial center near Main Street, an industrial section along the river, and neighborhoods housing both working families and management.

William Madison Wood of the American Woolen Company created this planned community in the 1920s to house factory workers and company executives. Following Wood's death in 1926, a realty trust acquired most properties and resold them to residents, converting the corporate-controlled community into privately owned homes.

The district reflects shifting tastes in residential design through its mix of architectural periods and styles. Walking through its neighborhoods, you notice how building preferences changed as the community developed over time.

The district is best explored on foot, with clearly defined zones that are easy to navigate and distinguish. Plan time to walk through residential areas and the commercial core to appreciate how the different sections relate to each other and the variety of building styles.

The district actually incorporated relocated houses from the original Frye Village settlement into its design. This makes it a rare example of a planned community that deliberately preserved older buildings while being built as a modern development.

Location: Andover

GPS coordinates: 42.67278,-71.14750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00