Wannalancit Street Historic District

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.  The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and includes 25 structures.  In 2005, the Wannalancit Street Neighborhood District was created, utilizing the same National Register boundaries, requiring review by the Lowell Historic Board of demolition, partial demolition, and new construction projects.

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.
  1. 1 round house.2
  2. 2 43 wannalancit.web
  3. 3 48 wannalancit.web
  4. 4 390 pawtucket.web

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 at 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. 

Wannalancit Street Historic District Map 

Wannalancit Street Historic District Brochure 

Wannalancit Street Neighborhood District Review and Permitting Requirements