Gallows Hill

Though no public record has been found describing just where the witch trial victims were hung, most people agree it was in the Gallows Hill region of Salem, possibly the lower ledges. The 19 men and women were most likely hanged from a tree in the wooded land between Proctor and Pope Streets leading to Gallows Hill Park.

Gallows Hill was known for its bonfires, which took days to erect and would burn spectacularly for hours. One especially memorable one was in celebration of the end of World War II, on July 4, 1946.

In 1998, Mayor Stan Usovich considered Gallows Hill Park area as a new site for the Federal Street School (now called Bowditch School) which was renting the old St. James school building. The plan was rejected after much debate and discussion.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection- Gallows Hill

Salem, Massachusetts, Vol. II photo of Bonfire at Gallows Hill, p.116

"Site unknown: Author says witchcraft victims were not hanged atop Gallows Hill" Salem Evening News Oct. 31, 1997, p. A1

"The Greatest bonfire ever: Reminiscing about Gallows Hills", July 4, 1946, Salem Evening News, Sept. 17, 1996, p. B5

"Mayor considers Gallows Hill for school site" Salem News, Jan. 13, 1998, p. A8

"Federal Street group opposes plan" Salem Evening News, Feb. 16, 1998, p. C3

"Salem mayor drops plan for school at Gallows Hill" Salem Evening News, Feb. 24, 1998, p. A1

"Ground Zero: Proctor's Ledge confirmed as witch-execution site" Salem News, Jan. 12, 2016, p. 1