The Reverend Ezekiel Rogers and a band of 20 families from Rowley, Yorkshire, England, founded the Town of Rowley in 1639. The group sailed on the ship "John of London" bringing with them the first printing press to be used in America, the famous "Daye Press" which was to be set up in Cambridge. The land area of Rowley originally included what is now Boxford, Bradford, Georgetown, Groveland, and a part of Middleton. The town has a varied terrain, and is situated between two rivers, the Muddy Creek on the north and the Rowley River to the south. With a section of Plum Island bordering the Atlantic, the main land mass fronts Plum Island Sound with an extensive salt marsh area that eventually gives way to rolling uplands. Heavily forested, there are several working farms, including the Bradstreet Farm, which is owned by the same family since the 1600's and is one of the oldest continuously family-operated farms in America.

Rowley is also home to one of the nation’s oldest stone arch bridges, which was built in 1643. Adjacent to the bridge is the site of the first fulling (wool) mill in America. The Jewel Mill occupies part of the original foundation of the fulling mill. The Jewel Mill building, with its overshot water wheel, is a landmark of the area and is often the subject of paintings by artists.

Today, Rowley is in a transition from its historical farming roots to that of a residential community. The town maintains its historical charm, however, with numerous stately, colonial era homes lining Main Street. The Town of Rowley has several antique shops and seasonal flea markets.