Dickson, Walter Scott

Walter Scott Dickson (Nov.3, 1831- May 10, 1900)

Walter S. Dickson was born in Salem Nov. 3, 1831, and educated in the public schools. At the age of 21 he went to the Pacific coast and remained for some years. Returning home, he engaged in the express business, but later was prominently identified with the leather business. He was in the Salem Common Council in 1873-74 and in the aldermen in 1883.

He was well known for his benefactions, among the latter being a recent gift of $50,000 to Tufts College to become effective on his death on condition that his friend, the Rev. E.C. Bolles, D.D., should be the occupant for life of a chair in the college which he endowed.

He also presented the city of Salem with the beautiful Dickson memorial chapel and conservatory in Greenlawn Cemetery which he erected at a cost of over $30,000, to the memory of his wife. It is the only example of High Victorian Gothic Style of architecture.

For a number of years he served on the overseers of the poor, and as such was ever foremost in relieving distress, He was associated in a number of manufacturing and financial interests.

He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery

The Dickson Chapel built in 1892, has been getting renovated with funds raised by the non-profit, Friends of Greenlawn. Since 2017, there have been structural repairs, restoration of the building's floral motif stained glass and replacing the side entry doors. New funding in 2025 will used for buttresses, masonry repairs and repointing, as well as repairs to the slate rood and gutters.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Dickson, Walter S.

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Greenlawn Cemetery Tour

Walter Scott Dickson Find a grave

Architecture in Salem by Tolles, p. 270-1

"Salem to continue restoration of over 100-year old Dickson Memorial Chapel" Salem News, Aug. 28, 2025, A03