The Wannalancit Street Historic District is one of Lowell’s most architecturally significant streets.  One block in length, the District includes homes built in the Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles.  Development of Wannalancit Street began in the 1850s during a period of rapid development in Lowell of new residential areas for the city’s growing middle class.

Prior to the late 1600s, land in the area was part of a Native American fishing ground at Pawtucket Falls and was sold to English settlers in 1686 by Wannalancit, last sachem of the Pennacook Confederacy.  The area was originally part of Chelmsford and was scattered with farms.  By 1820, the area close to the Pawtucket Falls included a small cluster of houses, commercial buildings, and small industries including a sawmill.

With the beginnings of large-scale industrial development in the 1820s and the arrival of a large new work force to Lowell came rapid development of new residential neighborhoods.  Reflecting the need for more middle class housing away from the heart of the city, Wannalancit Street was laid out ca. 1850.  The first house was constructed on the street in 1851 and over the next several decades, the remaining residences were constructed, attracting businessmen, merchants, teachers, and other professionals.

Within the District can be found the Jonathan Bowers/Round House (58 Wannalancit Street), Lowell’s most unique architectural landmark which was built in 1872 and was listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Location:          14-71 Wannalancit Street, 390 and 406 Pawtucket Street 

Year Built:        1870-1945 

Resources:        25 (3 noncontributing) buildings or structures 

Designation:      National Register of Historic Places (May 20, 1998)  

Jonathan Bowers/Round House, 1872 58 Wannalancit Street Jim Higgins, 1996	Oliver Cushing House, ca. 1885 48 Wannalancit Street Jim Higgins, 1999	Irvin Foote House, ca. 1870 28 Wannalancit Street Jim Higgins, 1999

Kitson-Lacey House, 1896 390 Pawtucket Street Jim Higgins, 1999	Edward Wood House, ca. 1878 43 Wannalancit Street Jim Higgins, 1999	William Swett House, ca. 1851 22 Wannalancit Street Jim Higgins, 1999