Historical Maps of Union Crossing mill area
The Lawrence History Center Exhibit for 2009: Made in America - Story of Southwick Union Crossing~ People, Place and Product - traces the story of a certain parcel of land in Lawrence - the land enclosed by Union Street, Island Street and Merrimack River.
In the days prior to the development of Lawrence ( pre 1845) the island that was created by the Essex Company's construction of the North Canal did not even exist. But as soon as the canal was dug, the mills came to utilize the water power from the canal, powering the mills and dropping the water back into the Merrimack River. Southwick Union Crossing site was developed early to make use of the water power. This exhibit is the story of the place, the people and the products from that place