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The Town of Billerica is located 20 miles
northwest of Boston and borders Lowell to the south. Incorporated in
1655, the town remained predominately agricultural until the
mid-nineteenth century when a major mill complex was sited on the
Concord River in North Billerica. Although a number of smaller
industries grew up over the next 100 years, it wasn't until the 1950's
that the present day industrial base was established. Today Billerica
is a major regional employer and home to several high technology firms,
many of which are offshoots of companies along Route 128 to the south.
Currently Billerica has close to 40,000 residents, having grown rapidly
from 10,000 residents in 1950. The majority of homes are located
within residential subdivisions, although significant older
neighborhoods exist in the town center, North Billerica, Pinehurst and
Nutting Lake. The town is within minutes of Route 3 and Route 495, both
major limited access highways. The town has bus and train service
provided by the Lowell Regional Transit Authority and the MBTA at North
Billerica. The remnants of the historic Middlesex Canal, an outmoded
mode of transport, traverse the town north to south. Two rivers pass
through town. The Concord River is a major regional water feature
while the Shawsheen River meanders through the southerly part of town.
Billerica is also the site of the Middlesex House of Correction, a
significant town employer. Even though much of Billerica has been
developed, there are still significant parcels of vacant land which
lend a certain rural character to many areas of town. |
