Shawsheen River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
_map.jpg/200px-Shawsheen_River_(Massachusetts)_map.jpg)
The Shawsheen River is a tributary of the Merrimack River in northeast Massachusetts. The name has had various spellings. According to Bailey's history of Andover, the spelling Shawshin was the most common in the old records, although Shawshine, Shashin, Shashine, Shashene, Shawshene, and later, Shawsheen, are found. The name, says Bailey, is said to mean "Great Spring."[1]
The 25-mile river runs generally northward through the towns of Bedford, Billerica, Tewksbury, Andover, and Lawrence, where it meets up with the Merrimack. Like its parent, the river has played an important role in the development of the area, including industrial development, with many mills built to take advantage of the river's power. Today there are trails and parks located along several sections of the river and a preservation effort is carried out by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association.
