Lawrence is a vibrant, hard-working city. What once housed bustling textile mills is now home to innovative new businesses driven by ideas and optimism. Still as far as they’ve come, Lawrence is proud of its past. Founded in 1845 by the Essex Company, Lawrence, Massachusetts was the first planned industrial city built along the banks of the scenic Merrimack River. Its strategic position in the heart of the Merrimack Valley helped it quickly grow to become America’s premier textile manufacturing center. Laborers from all corners of the world were drawn to the plentiful textile jobs, giving rise to Lawrence’s nickname, the “Immigrant City.” Lawrence’s continued diversity makes it an interesting place to live and work -- a place where lively cultures, strong camaraderie and a refreshing entrepreneurial spirit still thrive.