Jack Kerouac

Looks like Micky Ward and Andre Dubus III were never fighting just each other for the title of the “Pride of Lowell.” It turns out that there has always been one more in the race for fame. Similar to Andre Dubus III, Jack Kerouac was a famous writer who had written many novels and some of his books even contain settings where the characters are set in Lowell, Massachusetts. Kerouac had a tendency to write about his childhood, his adolescence and his Lowell friends. Not only did he love to write but he had a great admiration for religion. Being a catholic (mainly due to his mother when he was growing up), and also being a Buddhist is not a lifestyle that is generally accepted in the world today. However, he was able to live with the beliefs from both religions and it definitely worked for him. As a matter of fact, his religious beliefs actually helped to keep him going; especially while on his crazy adventures, just like the ones similar to those in 1957 book: On the Road.

          Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1922 and died in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1969 at the age of forty-seven. He spent much of his early life just as any teen boy would have during those years and lived in a working-class household where he too had to bring in an income. Then, in his later years, Jack got to live out a life with “no sleep.” He was always on the move and never without plans. It was as if relaxation was never in his vocabulary. He managed to travel and live with everyone, everywhere. When Jack passed away down in Florida, his body was moved to Lowell, Massachusetts where he now lies for eternity. His grave is located in the Sampas family plot at Edson Cemetery and his tombstone reads: “Ti Jean, John L. Kerouac, Mar. 12, 1922 - 1969, - He Honored Life.”

The images Above are of Jack Kerouac’s grave and tombstone, and a picture of Edson Cemetery’s entrance where Kerouac can be found.

        Jack Kerouac includes Lowell in many of his writings and the fact that a famous author came from the city of Lowell, Massachusetts called for the construction of a park in memory of him. The Jack Kerouac Park is not very big, but it sure is beautiful. It sits on a small plot of land in downtown Lowell and in the middle of the park there are a couple of pillars. Standing tall and upright, each one has a different phrase or quote engraved for all to read.

     

Above and on the top left is a picture of the entrance to the Jack Kerouac Park in downtown Lowell, shortly after the first snow fall of Fall, 2012. To the top right is the picture of the pillars that stand in the middle of the park and the bottom picture is the description of why the park looks how it does today.

        While I was there, though it was for only a brief time, I felt honored to be in a park that is in memory of Kerouac, a man who did so much for the community. For this reason, I believe that Jack Kerouac is a valid contender for the title of the “Pride of Lowell.” Along with Micky Ward and Andre Dubus III, Jack brought fame to Lowell and was able to bring the people of the city spirits up. Jack Kerouac will forever be remembered in Lowell and was certainly one of those people who put Lowell on the map for the world to see. Even I know that whenever I think of Lowell, I will remember the literature side of the city and think of Jack Kerouac.