LYNN — On May 14, 1850 — 176 years ago Thursday — Lynn was incorporated as a city.
Happy birthday, Lynn.
As the fifth-oldest colonial settlement in the Commonwealth, Lynn has played a major role in shaping industry and culture while continuing to evolve into the diverse community it is today.
It was British colonists from the New England Company who settled here in the region, which was once part of Saugus.
By the 19th century, Lynn had earned the nickname “Shoe City” as tens of thousands of immigrants arrived on the North Shore just to work in its factories.
Marketed as the City Of Firsts in 1990 by then-Community Development Director Jansi Chandler, the city was home to the first night baseball game, the first dance school, the first American jet engine, and the first woman, Lydia Pinkham, in advertising to use mass marketing.
Today, investment is evident in every corner of the city. The downtown, waterfront, and arts scene reflect the dedication of the city’s residents and officials, as do the vibrant murals to the many ongoing development projects.
Lynn has changed in countless ways over the centuries since its founding. Yet in many respects — especially its spirit of innovation, creativity, and hard work — it has remained true to its roots
Plenty of reasons to celebrate the city on its 176th birthday.
