Roaches Point

From Salem Links and Lore

Roaches Point was an area on the eastern shore of Collins Cove which in the 18th century was called Pigdon Point, then Roaches Point.

"In 1747 Salem set aside 50 pounds for building a pest house on Roaches Point. At the time there were few inhabitants in the area making this an ideal place for treating and separating people with communicable

diseases, most especially, small pox" according to Jerome Curley in his article.

In 1799 the Pest house at Roaches Point was discontinued in favor of a new hospital built at Hospital Point overlooking Beverly Harbor.

See Also

From Small Pox to Poverty-Salem's Public Health History Jerome Curley

Salem in the Seventeenth Century Phillips, p. 311