City of Lawrence Massachusetts Revenue and Competitors

Located twenty-five miles north of Boston, Lawrence, Massachusetts is truly a city of immigrants and industry. Lawrence was built in the 1840's as the nation's first planned industrial city. The massive mill buildings lining the Merrimack River, the striking clock and bell towers and the breath-taking Great Stone Dam are all a tribute to Lawrence's industrial heritage. The harnessed strength of the Merrimack River and its system of canals fueled the Lawrence mills that produced textiles for the American and European markets. By the early twentieth century, with a population of nearly 95,000, the city was a world leader in the production of cotton and woolen textiles in massive mills. Known as the "Immigrant City", Lawrence has always been a multi-ethnic and multicultural gateway city with a high percentage of foreign-born residents. The successive waves of immigrants coming to Lawrence to work in the mills began with the Irish, followed by the French Canadians, Englishmen, and Germans in the late 1800s. Around the turn of the century and early 1900s, Italians, Poles, Lithuanians, and Syrians began arriving. The wave of Puerto Ricans and Dominicans started in the mid to late 1900s, and the newest arrivals have originated from Vietnam and Cambodia. The current population of roughly 70,000 is largely Hispanic and has given a Latino slant to the local economy and culture. Today Lawrence remains an urban center with 35% of its economy still manufacturing-based. Despite global trends that have seen manufacturing industries move south and overseas, the city is still a hub of textile, apparel and shoe companies such as Malden Mills, KGR Inc., Grieco Brothers, New Balance and Cardinal Shoe. With the affordable space and close proximity to routes 93 and 495, newer companies in technology, health care and manufacturing such as New England Affiliated Technology, the Robert Able Company and the Gem Group, have chosen to locate in Lawrence. For more information on Business Opportunities, visit our Community Development Department. High quality health care is available at Lawrence General Hospital, offering a full range of medical and emergency services. The Pulitzer Prize winning daily newspaper, The Eagle Tribune, has its roots in Lawrence. Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence offers a full array of associate degree programs and adult education programs. The level of energy and commitment in the city's neighborhoods exceeds that of most communities. Whether it is exemplified at the grassroot levels in the strong neighborhood associations or in the community policing program. People in the community have created a safer place to live and work. In addition, Lawrence offers recreational, historical and cultural attractions. The Lawrence Community Boating Program allows the city's youth and adults to sail on the rolling waters of the Merrimack. The Lawrence Heritage State Park is a 23-acre historic preservation of urban life that records the history of immigrant workers and life in a mill town. The city also boasts art exhibitions at Essex Art Center and hosts a wide range of cultural activities like ethnic festivals that celebrate the diversity and rich heritage of Lawrence Directions to Lawrence City Hall From South of Lawrence To Lawrence City Hall/ downtown Take Route 93 North to Route 495 North (sign says Haverhill / Lawrence). Go approximately 6 miles along 495 to the Marston Street Exit 45. As you get off the Marston Street exit, follow the signs to downtown Lawrence. Turn left on to Canal Street at the sign that says "Gateway to Lawrence". Go straight down Canal Street and take a right at the first set of lights on to Union Street. Take the 2nd left (this is the first traffic light) on to Essex Street, the main downtown street. To reach City Hall, drive down Essex Street and take a right at the 4th street called Lawrence Street. Take the 1st right on to Common Street. City Hall will be on your right side about 500 yards down. You can park free for one hour in the parking lot next to City Hall. From North of Lawrence To Lawrence City Hall/ downtown Take Route 93 South to Exit 46 / Route 110 On the exit ramp stay to the right and follow the sign that says "110 West, Lowell-Dracut" Take the 1st left after the light and you will be on Riverside Drive which will later turn into Water Street. Drive along this road for about 3 miles until you reach the first stop light. At the stop light, take a left on to Broadway. At the second light, take a right on to Common Street. Go through 4 sets of lights on Common Street and City Hall will be on your right side about 500 yards down. You can park free for one hour in the parking lot next to City Hall.