Lowell, Massachusetts was incorporated in 1826 to serve as a mill town and was named after Francis Cabot Lowell, a local figure in the Industrial Revolution. The city became known as the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution, due to a large series of textile mills and factories. Many of the Lowell's historic manufacturing sites were later preserved by the National Park Service to create Lowell National Historical Park.

In 1834, James B. Francis and his boss at the New York and New Haven Railroad, traveled to Lowell to work for the Locks and Canal Company. When Whistler resigned in 1837, he appointed Francis the chief engineer. In 1850, Francis ordered the construction of the Great Gate over the Pawtucket Canal to protect Lowell's downtown mills from devastating floods. The project became known as "Francis' Folly," because no one believed it would work, never mind that it may ever be needed. However, less than two years later, in 1852, the gates saved Lowell from the devastating floods of 1852, then again in 1936, 1938, 2006 and 2007, by preventing the Merrimack River from entering the canal system.

Lowell, Massachusetts was incorporated in 1826 to serve as a mill town and was named after Francis Cabot Lowell, a local figure in the Industrial Revolution. The city became known as the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution, due to a large series of textile mills and factories. Many of the Lowell's historic manufacturing sites were later preserved by the National Park Service to create Lowell National Historical Park.

In 1834, James B. Francis and his boss at the New York and New Haven Railroad, traveled to Lowell to work for the Locks and Canal Company. When Whistler resigned in 1837, he appointed Francis the chief engineer. In 1850, Francis ordered the construction of the Great Gate over the Pawtucket Canal to protect Lowell's downtown mills from devastating floods. The project became known as "Francis' Folly," because no one believed it would work, never mind that it may ever be needed. However, less than two years later, in 1852, the gates saved Lowell from the devastating floods of 1852, then again in 1936, 1938, 2006 and 2007, by preventing the Merrimack River from entering the canal system.