Book excerpt: Dracut's diverse landscape, ranging from pastoral fields to vestiges of former textile mills, alludes to a history just as diverse, which can be traced back to 1665. The town was the first permanent Massachusetts settlement north of the Merrimack River; however, Dracut Revisited explores more closely the town's recent 20th-century history. Throughout the years, Dracut citizens have been industry employees at places such as Beaver Brook Mills and the Dracut Navy Yard. The town had the region's premier resort at Lake Mascuppic, the Lakeview Ballroom. It has also been home to numerous dairy farms, including Shaw Farm, which celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2008 and is one of a handful of active dairy farms that remain in the state. Dracut has a long record of serving in the nation's conflicts, from the American Revolution to September 11, 2001. Dracut has made great sacrifices and has been proud to honor the sacrifices of its citizens.