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, the city, with a population of nearly 95,000, was a world leader in the production of cotton and woolen textiles in massive mills.

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 exhibits at Essex Art Center and a wide range of cultural activities, including many annual ethnic festivals, that celebrate the city’s diversity and rich heritage.

Lawrence is home to companies such as New Balance Athletic Shoe, Nxstage Medical and Radianse.

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Mass. Department of Revenue “At A Glance” report for Lawrence

U.S. Census Demographic Data

Official City of Lawrence Web site

Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce

Greater Lawrence Technical School