Lowell, Industrial city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Lowell is a city in Massachusetts that spreads along both banks of the Merrimack River, where the Concord River joins it. Brick mills line the canals while residential neighborhoods climb gentle hills and the river flows through the center.
From farmland known as East Chelmsford, the town grew into a textile center during the 1820s when entrepreneurs harnessed waterpower for looms. The mills attracted workers from New England farms and later immigrants from Europe, until textile decline arrived in the mid-20th century.
The name Lowell honors Francis Cabot Lowell, an industrialist whose vision shaped the town. Today the residents include communities from Cambodia, Portugal and Latin America, visible in restaurants, markets and neighborhoods throughout the area.
The downtown area is walkable, with sidewalks along the canals and across bridges that connect both sides of the river. Spring and fall offer comfortable weather for strolling, while winter can bring cold conditions.
A network of canals runs through the town, originally built to carry water to the mills. Today ducks swim in these waterways and benches line the banks for resting.
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