Salem MA

Salem has many sections where you can find various styles of homes and condominiums from historic and more modern. Its extensive neighborhoods include Salem Neck, The Point, South Salem, North Salem, Witchcraft Heights and the McIntire Historic District.

Salem is located in Essex County with a population of approximately 40,000. It is the first national Historic Site designated by Congress. Salem is bound by Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Peabody, Danvers and Beverly. The Salem railway train system allows easy access to Boston and as far north as Newburyport.

Salem Witch Trials

The city’s culture is entwined in its history of witchcraft allegations of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Historical sites include the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne (House of Seven Gables, Witch Museum, and the Witch Dungeon, Salem was the setting for notable novels such as “The Scarlet Letter” and the “Crucible”.

The success and wealth of the city lent itself to the construction of excellent architecture as evidenced in the Federalist style mansions located throughout the city. This wealth is attributed to the Old China Trade which was ongoing for years with America and Great Britain. One can explore this era in the Essex Peabody Museum.

Salem State College which began as one of the first teacher’s college in the country. Sites of interest include Salem Willows amusement park, located on a peninsula jutting into the harbor, Pickering Wharf known for its quaint shops and restaurants, and replica of one of tall ships “Friendship” which sits in the harbor. Most recently a character statue of Samantha Stevens, from the television show “Bewitched” was erected in the center of the city.

Halloween in Salem

Salem’s most popular and notorious annual event is Halloween. Locals and visitors from all over the country comb the streets on Halloween Eve dressed in the most exotic and interesting costumes and party late into the evening.