Revolutionist Rev. Ezechiel Rogers and a band of 20 families from Rowley, Yorkshire, England founded the town of Rowley in 1639.

In 1643, much to the aggravation of Mother England, early residents of Rowley established the first wool combing and spinning mill in America on the Mill River, making Rowley the birthplace of the American wool industry. As a result, England applied sanctions on Colonists who bought Rowley wool, and by defying these sanctions, the settlers sowed the seeds which, along with other matters, led to the great war.

The Jewel Mill is the oldest continuously operating water mill in the U.S. with the wheel used to tumble and polish gemstones. Rowley has many 17th-century houses and the country's first keystone arch bridge. Built in 1640, without cement or mortar, it still stands next to the Jewel Mill.

Over the years Rowley has produced lumber for ships and homes, finished wool for clothing, ground grain for bread and produced scholars to found universities. Today Rowley has changed little, it is still a quiet town with many of the historic homes still standing, a pleasant place to visit, work and live.

Spotlight on Rowley:

Population: 5,600

Square Miles: 19.03

Tax rate fiscal 2008: $10.38

Government: Board of Selectmen

How To Contact:

Selectmen : 978-948-2372

Town Hall: 978-948-2705

Hospital/Emerg.: Anna Jaques Hospital : 978-463-1000

Website: town.rowley.ma.us

Schools:

Elementary School- Pine Grove

Superintendent: 978-465-2397

Triton Middle School : 978-462-8171

Triton High School : 978- 462-8171

Library: 978-948-2850

MBTA Commuter Rail Service: from Newburyport to Boston with stations in Ipswich and Rowley. Schedules and Information: (800) 392-6100 or www.mbta.com