History

Historically, human settlements have been started around a source of transportation and power. Rivers have traditionally been a popular place for these settlements to spring up. The Merrimack River is no exception. Its powerful waters let the industrial cities on its banks use its current for powering mills and transporting goods. The Merrimack River was key in settling northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Industrial Lawrence This image shows how the mills of the cities on the Merrimack were built close to its banks.	19th Century Lowell This image helps to show the scale of the mills along the Merrimack.
The Mouth of the Merrimack Even at its meeting with the ocean, settlement like Newburyport and Salisbury were built on the banks of the Merrimack.

History

Industrial Lawrence

This image shows how the mills of the cities on the Merrimack were built close to its banks.

19th Century Lowell

This image helps to show the scale of the mills along the Merrimack.

The Mouth of the Merrimack

Even at its meeting with the ocean, settlement like Newburyport and Salisbury were built on the banks of the Merrimack.