Salem's Oldest Businesses - Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA, USA

Essex Street, c. 1920
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections


Salem has long been a shopping and dinning destination. During the Great Age of Sail, Salem was a center of trade and access to foreign goods. In the 20th century, the city was home to the area's destination stores, attracting shoppers from Boston and throughout the North Shore to Salem's downtown. Although department stores have moved out of the city in favor of area shopping malls, multiple 19th century businesses and restaurants are still a mainstay in Salem. This list focuses on public facing businesses and restaurants that have provide goods or services for over 50 years.

  1. Ye Old Pepper Candy Companie, 1806
  2. Eastern Bank, 1818 (Formerly Salem Savings Bank)
  3. J. J. Welch, 1852
  4. Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, 1855
  5. O'Rourke Brothers Memorials, 1890
  6. Waters & Brown, 1895
  7. E.W. Hobbs, 1897
  8. Soucy Insurance, 1907
  9. Thomas Mackey and Sons, 1907
  10. Salem Lowe, 1912
  11. Winer Brothers Hardware, 1919
  12. Salem Auto Body, 1924
  13. Hawthorne Hotel, 1925
  14. Puleo's Dairy, 1928
  15. John J. Walsh Insurance Agency, 1929
  16. Walyo's Variety Store, c. 1930
  17. Steve's Market, 1932
  18. Gardner Mattress, 1933
  19. Bunghole Liquors, 1933
  20. Bertini's Restaurant, 1943
  21. F.W. Webb, 1944 (Salem Location)
  22. Red's Sandwich Shop, 1945
  23. Gagnon Shoe Repair, c. 1945 (Removed to Beverly, 2021)
  24. Dairy Witch Ice Cream, 1952
  25. Coon's Card and Gift Shop, 1953
  26. Dotty & Ray's, 1958
  27. Eaton Apothecary, 1958
  28. Tri City Sales, 1959
  29. Dube's Seafood, 1961
  30. Mandee's Pizza, 1962
  31. The Daniels House Bed and Breakfast, 1962
  32. Ziggy & Sons' Donuts, 1964
  33. Bill & Bob's Roast Beef, 1969

17th Century Architecture - Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA 01970, USA


17th Century Architecture in Salem, Massachusetts

First Period Architecture (approx. 1626-1725) is often characterized by a steeply pitched roof and a central chimney. This colonial style is strongly associated with New England, particularly North America's earliest European settlers which built homes along the coast of Massachusetts. Many of these homes have been greatly altered from their original 17th century construction or re-imagined as they once were. This list focuses on 17th century homes, additional First Period homes built in the early 18th century still exist in Salem.
  • Samuel Robinson-Michael Chapleman House, c. 1650
    69 Essex Street
    SAL.2591
    Unsubstantiated -This home has been greatly altered.
  • Retire Becket House, c. 1655
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3427
    Moved to current location in 1924
  • Pickering House, 1660
    18 Broad Street
    SAL.1044

    Oldest house in original location
  • Pickman House, 1664
    43 Charter Street
    SAL.2506
  • Gedney House, 1665
    21 High Street
    SAL.1156
  • Stephen Daniels House, c. 1667
    1 Daniels Street
    SAL.2616
  • Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, 1668
    (The House of the Seven Gables)
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3425
  • Ransom Boarding House, c. 1670
    14 Becket Street
    SAL.3277
    Unsubstantiated
  • Jonathan Corwin House, c. 1675
    (The Witch House)
    310 Essex Street
    SAL.1510
  • Narbonne House, 1675
    71 Essex Street
    SAL.2593
  • Hooper-Hathaway House, c. 1682
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3426
  • John Ward House c. 1684
    Brown Street
    SAL.2454
  • William Murray House, c. 1688
    39 Essex Street
    SAL.3239

Resource Guide - Photographs of Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA, USA
54 Washington Street, c. 1920
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections
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Historical Photographs of Salem, Massachusetts

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