University of Massachusetts Lowell - Sojourn / Knoll Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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The University is situated in a city rich in culture and history. Lowell was once a leader in American industry, and is now the home of a National Historical Park, At the dawn of the nineteenth century, the point where the Merrimack River bends ninety degrees and is met by the Concord River was inhabited by only a few farmers and was part of the town of Chelmsford. In the early 1820's a handful of investors found this spot to be the ideal location for a new concept in America-a planned industrial community. The plan was an astonishing success. It didn't take long for this once small farming hamlet to explode into the first thriving industrial city in America. By 1826, the former agricultural village had grown into a town, renamed Lowell, after Francis Cabott Lowell, the originator of American cotton manufacturing. In only a few years, people were flocking from all over the world to see this industrial wonder. The ingenious canal water-power system, the long lines of mills, and the unique labor force of Yankee farmer's daughters impressed all who visited, including Charles Dickens and Michael Chivalier. continued Prologue 13

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I W--M-If 'T DDD- V F if ' ' X 12 Prologue 1 Z- i ? all .I ,Q PT' Lowell City Hall looms up behind the water wheel on the corner of Dutton and Market streets Cabovej. Popular night spots, such as Derby Park and Pollards, are found on Middle Street Ctop rightj. Bill Donovan enjoys an afternoon of sailing on the Merrimack fboctom rightj.

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As the mills flourished, and years progressed, Lowell continued to be the industrial wonder of the world. The mill girls were eventually replaced by waves of immigrant workers, who combined to give Lowell one of the most diverse ethnic populations of a city its size. At the beginning of the 1920's, Lowell's prosperity streak came to an abrupt halt. The organization of labor, and the increasing competition of southern textile mills took their roll on the mills of Lowell. One U Lowell professor related his first impression of Lowell fifteen years ago: It was like a ' Hooverville in a time of national prosperity. . In this past decade, however, Lowell has taken great strides in changing this image. On june 5, 1978, President Carter signed a law establishing the Lowell National Historical Park and the Lowell Historic Preservation District. These organizations are responsible for the preservation of historical structures and the interpretation of Lowell's history., This, along with a number of high tech companies, has helped Lowell regain pride in itself. ' continued 14 Prologue Q-'W 15 - a 'I,' 3 .r. I ,sf r ff+ f'!0'