Lawrence, Massachusetts was incorporated in the mid-1800s after several businesses found success in utilizing the fast-flowing waters of the Merrimack River to power machinery. Lawrence became one of the United States’ top producers of woolen products in the early 1900s, with the majority of the city’s population working in some capacity at a textile mill. Some of the city’s most notable mills include the Pacific Mills, Arlington Mills, Everett Mills, and those owned by the American Woolen Company. 1
Lawrence is also known for its large immigrant population, a feature which has earned it the moniker “the Immigrant City.” Some of the earliest immigrants to Lawrence were the Irish, with the majority of immigrant communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries originating in Europe.2 The prevalence of industry, high job availability, and growing immigrant communities made Lawrence a promising candidate for workers and families alike.
Living
According to a 1911 census report, however, living conditions within the city were not ideal.