Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 58,969 at the 2000 census. Haverhill is home to Northern Essex Community College.

History
Originally settled as Pentucket and situated on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community, that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the 18th century, Haverhill developed Tanning, shipping and shipbuilding. The mill town was for 180 years home to a large shoe-making industry, which faded with the Great Depression of the 1930s. It also once manufactured hats. Incorporated...

Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 58,969 at the 2000 census. Haverhill is home to Northern Essex Community College.

History
Originally settled as Pentucket and situated on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community, that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the 18th century, Haverhill developed Tanning, shipping and shipbuilding. The mill town was for 180 years home to a large shoe-making industry, which faded with the Great Depression of the 1930s. It also once manufactured hats. Incorporated as a city in 1870, Haverhill would annex part of Bradford, Massachusetts in 1897.

A temperance society was formed in 1828. A branch of the American Anti-Slavery Society was organized in 1834 in Haverhill.

Like most towns, Haverhill has been struck by several epidemics. Diphtheria killed 256 children in Haverhill between Nov. 17, 1735, and Dec. 31, 1737. In 1826 influenza struck.

The Haverhill and Boston Stage Coach company operated from 1818 to 1837 when the railroad was extended to Haverhill from Andover. It then changed its name and routes to the Northern and Eastern Stage company. The Town meeting were held at the First Church meeting house till 1827, and rotated various churches and halls till the first town hall was built in 1847.