Skip to main content

Boston and Lowell Railroad Corporation

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1830 - 1973

Biography

The Boston and Lowell was one of the first railroad systems in the United States, chartered by Massachusetts on June 5, 1830. Service began on May 27, 1835 with further expansion and branch lines constructed in the ensuing decades. The Boston & Lowell struggled with competition from the Boston & Maine until ultimately it was leased by the Boston & Maine on April 1, 1887, and then merged fully into the B&M on January 1, 1919. The Boston & Lowell continued operating as a division within the Boston & Maine until it was sold to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority in 1983.

Details of this historical note are from the Nashua City Station website.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Boston and Lowell Railroad, Woburn Branch, Woburn Massachusetts records

Collection Identifier: Mss:705 1832-1834 B74
Overview:

Boston and Lowell Railroad, Woburn Branch, Woburn Massachusetts records span the years 1832 to 1834 and document the constrcution of a branch railroad in Massachusetts.

Boston & Lowell Railroad papers, 1830-1886

File — Box MSS VF 14: [Barcode: HB9TV5], Folder: 5Identifier: Mss:724 1824-1935 File, F-7-16
Scope and Contents:

Papers of the Boston & Lowell Railroad include directors meeting minutes, reports, subscriptions to improve infrastructure, bills and receipts, invoices, stakeholders votes, and court stenographer notes of George vs. Boston & Lowell Railroad. Early papers include letters written by Patrick Tracy Jackson, who served as agent and treasurer of the company until 1831.

Harry Chick collection of railroad photographs and ephemera

Collection Identifier: Vis 27
Overview:

The Harry Chick collection of railroad photographs and ephemera contains postcards, photographs, stereographs and ephemera pertaining to locomotives and railroads. The materials were collected by railroad enthusiast Harry Chick.