Dracut is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 28,562. Dracut is primarily a suburban community, belonging to Greater Lowell and bordering southern New Hampshire. Additionally, it is in the northern portion of the Greater Boston metro area, and geographically part of the Merrimack Valley.

History

Dracut was the site of important Pennacook Indian settlements, due to the fishing grounds at Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River. The legendary sachem Passaconaway spent much of his life in land that became Dracut (although given to Lowell in the...

Dracut is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 28,562. Dracut is primarily a suburban community, belonging to Greater Lowell and bordering southern New Hampshire. Additionally, it is in the northern portion of the Greater Boston metro area, and geographically part of the Merrimack Valley.

History

Dracut was the site of important Pennacook Indian settlements, due to the fishing grounds at Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River. The legendary sachem Passaconaway spent much of his life in land that became Dracut (although given to Lowell in the latter half of the 19th century).

Dracut was first settled by Europeans in 1653, from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, across the Merrimack. Parts of the community were part of the Wamiset Praying Town, one of the preserves set aside by the colonists for Praying Indians. Dracut was officially incorporated as a town on February 26, 1701.

The town has several large ponds, bogs and swamps, and numerous brooks (most notably Beaver Brook (Merrimack River)). Dracut's early economy relied on fishing, lumbering and milling, which led in turn to the 19th century industries of paper making and cotton textile manufacturing. These mills attracted Irish and French-Canadian immigrants.

There has been intense modern development in Dracut with suburban residential pressures from Lowell, Massachusetts. Twice in the nineteenth century, Lowell annexed large sections of Dracut into its borders. However, some rural landscapes remain intact, as do some handsome historic houses. One of the better known is the 290 year old Colburn/Cutter House, with its massive beams, huge center chimney and fireplaces. The building, dating back from about 1717, has served as the site of the annual Dracut Craft Fair. As well, Dracut holds an annual Old Home Day every September since 2001