The City of Lowell was named after Francis Cabot Lowell, who at the age of 36 visited England and brought back with him knowledge to begin the American textile industry. Lowell is often cited as "America's first industrial city". Lowell was incorporated as a city on April 1, 1836. Other facts about Lowell:

• The first CVS ever was established in Downtown Lowell in 1963. Today, the company does about $25 billion in sales in over 5,000 stores in America - and it all started as a "Consumer Value Store" on Merrimack Street in Lowell. CVS still maintains a store on Merrimack Street.
• Ted Leonsis, a pioneer in the creation of AOL , was raised in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School. Leonsis serves as a Vice Chairman and President of AOL Audience Business. He's also the majority owner of the NHL's Washington Capitals and a minority owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards. Mr. Leonsis still maintains ties in Lowell and returns regularly.
• Other famous Lowellians include beat generation writer Jack Kerouac, Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon, and film actress Bette Davis. The late Presidential candidate and Senator Paul Tsongas called Lowell home, as did current Senator John Kerry during his first run for Congress.
• Lowell's largest private employer is electronics/communications company M/A-Com , with over 1200 employees at two sites in Lowell. The company supports many communication related entities and platforms, and has earned several military related contracts.
• Lowell, with over 105,000 residents, is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts, following Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
• Lowell was named by the National Crime Prevention Council as one of six safer cities in the country for its drastic reduction of crime. Between 1994 and 1999, Lowell reduced crime more quickly than any other American city with over 100,000 residents. Lowell is now deemed as one of the safest cities of its size in America.
• The Lowell Spinners are a minor league affiliate of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox. The Spinners have sold out a Minor League record 228 straight games and there is a waiting list for season tickets.
• Lowell's population of Southeast Asian residents is the largest on the East Coast, and second-largest in the country. Lowell was the first city in America to elect a Cambodian to public office, Rithy Uong - who was elected to the City Council in 1999.
• The Paul Tsongas Arena , a 7,800 seat arena which opened in 1999, has played host to both the Republican and Democratic State Convention as well as to UMASS Lowell and Lowell Devils hockey and concerts ranging from Green Day to Barry Manilow to Brooks & Dunn. The Arena is also the home of the KISS 108 Jingle Ball, an annual holiday concert featuring some of the biggest pop acts in the world.
• Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876, but it wasn't until 1880 when telephone numbers were first used - the first place they were used? Lowell, Massachusetts
• Moxie, a carbonated beverage, was created in Lowell in 1876 and is known as the first mass produced soft drink in US history.
• Lowell's downtown is part of a National Park. The Lowell National Historical Park was established in 1979 and was the first urban National Park in the country.

If you have any other fun facts about Lowell, let us know!

Adam Baacke, Deputry Director for Economic/Community Development