Lafayette Park

The Salem Rebuilding Commission decided to build a new public park bounded between Harbor, Lafayette and Washington Street after

the Salem Fire (June 25th 1914) decimated all the buildings in the area, including a Fire House. The park was established sometime between 1914 and 1917.

The 1916 City Documents listed the lot of land on Lafayette Street would be known as Lafayette Park.

A monument Mourning Victory, by sculptor Joseph A. Coletti was placed in the middle of the park in 1947. This tall obelisk is carved

at its peak into a figure holding a sword at rest. The figure appears to possess sings and to radiate light.

The statue's inscription states that the monument is dedicated to the 2,105 veterans of both World Wars from St. Joseph Parish.

The park was redesigned in 1992, making it more accessible, with better sidewalks and more shade trees, plantings benches and walkways.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Lafayette Park

Salem City Documents 1915 (p. 140) and 1916 (p. 103)

"Park design finalists share $1,000 in prizes" Salem Evening News, Nov. 10, 1992, p ?

"Lafayette Park to be dedicated Sunday" Salem Evening News, Oct. 15, 1993, p. 15