Lawrence, MA - Local Guide to the City.

Lawrence Massachusetts is located 25 miles north of Boston just off of Route 495. Built in the 1840’s and planned as the nation’s first industrial city and testimony to this concept are the massive mill buildings that line the Merrimack River, the striking clock and bell towers and the awesome Great Stone Dam.

The strength of the harnessed Merrimack River and its canals served to fuel the Lawrence mills that produced textiles for the American and European markets. The city was a world leader in production of cotton and woolen textiles by the early 20th century.

Lawrence has always been a multi ethnic and multi cultural city with a high proportion of foreign born residents thereby giving it the name “The Immigrant City”. Waves if immigrants coming to Lawrence to work in the mills beginning in the Late 1800’s and continuing to the present day have made Lawrence truly a home to everyone,

Today, Lawrence remains an urban center in which 35% of its economy is still based of manufacture. The city is still a hub of textile, apparel and shoe companies such as Malden Mills, KGR, Grieco Brothers, New Balance and Cardinal Shoe. Combined with its affordable space and convenient location, newer companies in technology, health care, and manufacturing have chosen to locate in Lawrence.

Lawrence offers recreational, historical and cultural attractions along with people committed to living and working in a safe environment. The city boasts sailing on the Merrimack, Heritage State Park, art exhibitions and a wide range of cultural activities such as ethnic festivals that celebrate Lawrence’s diversity and rich heritage.