Located in the Belvidere neighborhood, the Rogers Fort Hill Park Historic District is typical of new neighborhoods being developed in Lowell in the late 19th century for the city's growing middle class of successful executives, entrepreneurs and professionals.  Street railways that made outlying areas easily accessible influenced development of these neighborhoods after the 1860's.  In 1669 Wannalancit, last sachem of the Pennacook Confederacy, created a palisade atop a large hill, as was the customary design for the Native American communities.  The palisades reminded the English of forts, so the name Fort Hill was later reference to the palisade that Wannalancit had built.

Originally part of Tewsbury, the area included the 247 acre farm of Zadock Rogers, one of three large farms occupying the area by 1805 and by 1834, the area had been annexed to Lowell from Tewksbury.  In 1883, Emily and Elizabeth Rogers, the sole survivors of the Rogers family, sold their entire farm to a real estate development syndicate.  A large area was set aside and development by the syndicate for a public park that was then donated to the City by Elizabeth Rogers in 1886.

The earliest occupied homes in the district date from 1886 and 1887.  The homes include many built in the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles, as well as scattered examples of other period styles such as Stick, Shingle and Tudor Revival.  The oldest building in the district pre-dates the suburban subdivision of the Rogers Farm, the Greek Revival style Zadock Rogers House (1837-38) on Rogers Street.  Architect Frederick Stickney designed several buildings in the district including the Moody School (1891), Elizabeth Rogers House (1892, 206 Rogers Street) and the Rogers Hall School Gymnasium (1912).

Rogers Fort Hill Park is the focal point of the neighborhood and is Lowell's largest picturesquely landscaped park.  In 1886, the naturalistically designed upper portion of the park was completed according to the designs of landscape architect Ernest Bowditch.  Between 1904 and 1911, the more formally designed lower portion of the park was developed based upon plans developed by the Olmsted firm.

Location:  Roughly bounded by High and Nesmith Street, Lowell Cemetery and the Concord River

Year Built:  1837-1948

Resouces:  181 (18 non-contributing) buildings or structures

Designation:  National Register of Historic Places (May 27, 1999)

As you explore Lowell's historic places, please note that many are privately owned.  Please respect the rights of property owners by not trespassing and remaining on public property as you view the community's many historic resources.