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Lowell, Massachusetts

Located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Lowell was founded in 1653. Lowell was America's first planned industrial city. Jack Kerouac, author of On the Road, was born and raised in Lowell.
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Founded 1653 | Population 114,700 | Peak 114,700 (2024) | County Middlesex County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Lowell, Massachusetts

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1822 Planned Mill City: America's first planned industrial city; textile mills on Merrimack River.
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1836 Mill Girls Movement: Female workers strike for better conditions; early labor activism.
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1912 Bread and Roses Strike: Nearby Lawrence strike influences Lowell labor movement.
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1978 National Historical Park: Lowell NHP preserves industrial heritage.
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2010 Immigrant Gateway: Large Cambodian, Brazilian, and African communities.
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Latest News in Lowell

Apr 10, 2026
Pattern of Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists Sparks Calls for Federal Scrutiny
The quiet death of a veteran NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist in 2023 has resurfaced amid a string of unexplained fataliti…
Feb 13, 2016
Mom and Dad who Neglected Starved Baby Learn Their Fates
BOSTON — In a case that shocked many, a Massachusetts couple faced the consequences of their actions on February 13, 2016, after…
Feb 7, 2016
Teen Advised Take Pregnancy Test After he Complains Pain Side Gets Some
SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Back in February 2016, a Massachusetts teenager walked into a doctor’s office complaining of sharp pai…
Jan 26, 2016
Mom 3 Takes Closer Look Licence Realizes Something Very Wrong Photo
BOSTON — On a chilly January day in 2016, a Massachusetts mother of three found herself staring at her daughter’s driver&#…
Nov 20, 2015
Remember Woman who Sued 8 Year Old Nephew 127000 Over Hug Verdict
BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2015 — In a case that left people scratching their heads, a Massachusetts woman took her 8-year-old nephew to c…
Oct 28, 2015
Couple Gets Over 2300 Years Prison Child Pornography
BOSTON (October 28, 2015) — In a case that left many stunned by its severity, a Massachusetts couple was sentenced to a combined…

Complete Historical Timeline

1822 Industry
Planned Mill City
1836 Labor
Mill Girls Movement
1912 Labor
Bread and Roses Strike
1978 Culture
National Historical Park
2010 Culture
Immigrant Gateway

Did You Know?

1
Lowell was America's first planned industrial city.
2
Jack Kerouac, author of On the Road, was born and raised in Lowell.
3
Lowell has one of the largest Cambodian communities in the U.S.
4
Lowell is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
5
Lowell was founded in 1653.

Famous People from Lowell, Massachusetts

BD
Bette Davis
Actor, Musician · Born Apr 5, 1908 · Died Oct 6, 1989 (age 81)
JK
Jack Kerouac
Screenwriter, Writer · Born Mar 12, 1922 · Died Oct 21, 1969 (age 47)
JW
James McNeill Whistler
Writer, Illustrator · Born Jul 10, 1834 · Died Jul 17, 1903 (age 69)
OD
Olympia Dukakis
Actor, Pedagogue · Born Jun 20, 1931 · Died May 1, 2021 (age 89)
MC
Michael Chiklis
Actor, Television Producer · Born Aug 30, 1963 · Age 62

Other Cities in Massachusetts

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B
Brockton
Pop. 105,000
NB
New Bedford
Pop. 101,000
Q
Quincy
Pop. 101,000
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