There Is A Lot to Like About Lowell -- Lowell National Historical Park

"There is A Lot to Like About Lowell" is the city slogan.

(See tab on right side called "Lowell Series" for many more articles about Lowell.)

LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Visitor Center

On June 5th of this year, the Lowell National Historical Park (LNHP) will be 37 years old. I wasn't living here at the time it was established (having left 4 years earlier, when the unemployment rate was at 12%) and unfortunately didn't get to see the many changes until I returned to the city in 1994. Every day there are still old buildings being renovated and huge plans are in the works for improved changes for the city. The city of Lowell, individuals who bought dilapidated mills and the LNHP are all doing their part to make Lowell a better city for the future.

This Visitors Center isn't something I like, it's something I love. I am there frequently either asking questions, looking at updated programs, or chatting with people I know, who are there as well. This is where you learn about all the places the Park Service maintains, such as the Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit (my post), the canal boat tours and trolley tours, the many miles of walkway along the canals, the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and more.

Map shows our two rivers, the Merrimack and the Concord, and many man-made canals.

Children love this trolley and have their
own area to play and learn.

Theater (above) where you can view a film about the history of Lowell.

"On June 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation dedicating $40 million to the creation of Lowell National Historical Park. It was a move that saved the city’s historic downtown."* Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Representative Paul E. Tsongas are also shown. Paul Tsongas was from Lowell.

Typical of a genealogist, I tried to find more information. One of the more interesting things I found was a daily log of all of President Carter's activities for the above day. When he met for the signing Wednesday morning between 7:55 - 7:59, there was just enough time for a photo and the signing. The actual page may be seen HERE.

*More information about the LNHP may be seen HERE.

Entrance to the LNHP.

Books about Lowell, including the most recent (Oct. 2014) called, Mill Power. I purchased it the day after it's release. My husband read it, and I've looked at the many photos.

There are two entrances. Above is on Market Street and below is on Dutton Street (where you can park, see photo at bottom of parking area).

There Is A Lot to Like About Lowell -- The Four Diners

"There is A Lot to Like About Lowell" is the city slogan.

(See tab on right side called "Lowell Series" for many more articles about Lowell.)

The Four Diners

Arthur's Paradise Diner

112 Bridge Street

This is one of the two diners celebrating their 75th anniversaries.

Original ceiling.

Trolley Pizza

984 Gorham Street

I ate here many times while I worked at Prince Spaghetti, since it was within walking distance.

Club Diner

145 Dutton Street

This diner is also celebrating their 75th Anniversary and the owner was kind to spend some time giving me a little of their history.

The owner explained a few items on the wall, especially when I asked who the people were with Senator Paul Tsongas, a Lowell resident, in the photo above. Steven Panagiotakos, Senator Edward Kennedy and the owner were the others.

Owl Diner (aka Four Sisters Owl Diner)

244 Appleton Street

I used to go to this diner quite often, since I knew one of the Four sisters. She has since opened her own restaurant, Rosie's Diner in No. Chelmsford.

This topic was chosen because I remember three of them from the 1960s, I love their history and how they look.

For more information, check out the below article for more detail about these diners. 

http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/diners-of-lowell-mass-circa-early-1980s/

There Is A Lot to Like About Lowell -- Shedd Park and Rogers Fort Hill

"There is A Lot to Like About Lowell" is the city slogan.

(See tab on right side called "Lowell Series" for many more articles about Lowell.)

Shedd Park and Rogers Fort Hill

Shedd Park and Fort Hill Park are separate parks, but adjoin each other. Shedd Park has fifty acres to provide a wonderful place for families to go for their outdoor activities. Hiking, tennis, huge playground, sledding in the winter, picnic fun and other activities are available. There is a complete history report in the Forgotten New England blog, seen HERE.

Corner of Boylston and Roger Streets.

Shedd

Playground

----

A Gift To the

City of Lowell

By

Freeman Ballard Shedd

A. D. 1910

"Rogers Fort Hill Park has 11 acres of grass, a fountain, paths and gardens, and 23 acres of woods.  Today, the park is being restored to its former glory. The vision is to bring back the features of the original design. Part of the lower park is already restored, and, in time, a restored Spring House at the base of the hill, and benches and walkways will grace the park land. There will also be a west side pergola.

The park will have a commemorative garden, to recognize the original settlers of the area, who were Native Americans. It will also commemorate the life of Senator Paul Tsongas, who is dedicated to the park. The park will be linked to a Greenway and a Blueway trail system, with a stairway down to the river. There will also be a play fort for kids and a restored Spring House." "In the 1900s, the park had activities including a zoo and winter carnivals. The park slipped into a decline in 1960, however, because of budget cuts, but this trend is being reversed with the help of the City of Lowell and many volunteers. The Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999." (This was new to me, so I'm glad I found this site, seen HERE.) Because this is a genealogy blog, I must mention that the Lowell Cemetery is next to both parks.

 

 Rogers Street to the left of the park, center of the park is below.

Top of Fort Hill.

Me, late 1960s at the top of Fort Hill.

 Sledding down Shedd Park's hill (Feb. 2017).