Salem Common

From Salem Links and Lore
Revision as of 11:22, 21 May 2015 by Jstrom (talk | contribs)
  • Salem Common is a 9 acre green space near the center of Salem with three monuments and some 30 buildings surrounding it. Once a low hilly area with marshy ponds, in 1802 this was improved to make a flat training field for local militias. The common was also once used to grazing livestock and rope making. The cast iron fence was added in 1850 and plantings of elm and maple trees replaced the poplar trees.
  • In the weeks following the Salem Fire in 1914, the common was temporary home to many who had lost their homes in the fire.
  • It was also used as the playground for nearby Phillips School (now replaced with residential housing.)
  • In 1976, the Salem Bicentennial Commission made some renovations to Salem Common and dedicated a new "Washington Arch" at the main gateway. The new arch, which stands at 28 feet high, is based on drawings made the woodcarver Samuel McIntire. The original arch had been removed previously.
  • The bandstand at the Salem Common was constructed in 1926 in commemoration of the city's Tercentennial. Philip Horton Smith designed this finely proportioned bandstand in Colonial Revival style, domed and temple-like. In 1976, the bandstand was dedicated to longtime Salem Band director, Jean Missud of the Salem Cadet Band fame.
  • In 1995, chainsaw artist Ken Dudley carved a likeness of famous woodcarver Samuel McIntire into a dead oak stump on the common and donated it to the city of Salem.
  • The Salem Common Neighborhood Association approves any changes or improvements to the Common.
  • According to the Park and Recreation Department, once around the common is 1/2 mile.
  • The first muster in the country took place on Salem Common in 1637. A regiment of militia drilled for the common defense, laying the foundation for what would become the National Guard. On Aug. 19th, 2010, Deval Patrick signed an act designating Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard. In January of 2013 Pres. Obama signed a bill designating Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard.
  • The replica of the Washington Arch by Winter Street, is getting a much-needed make-over in 2013. The Salem Common Neighborhood Association teamed up with Historic Salem Inc. to hold a Mardi Gras celebration at the Salem Knights of Columbus to raise funds for the restoration in February.

See Also

Retrieved from "https://salempl.org/wiki/index.php?title=Salem_Common&oldid=7987"