Dates Of Visit: July 13 & 14, 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: architecture, dogs, flower boxes
What is a better place to spend Friday the 13th than Salem, MA? Well, maybe Camp Crystal Lake would be more appropriate. But, I’m not stepping one foot there!
I actually spent the weekend in Salem and it was not at all scary during my visit. In fact, it was downright peaceful.
The city of Salem was holding their annual window box competition that was judged at the end of July by the Salem Garden Club. Roughly 40 people compete. I was able to capture some of the prettier flower boxes. I am not sure if all or any of these flower boxes were involved in the competition. But, all of the window boxes and other flower baskets definitely looked like winners to me.
As an aside, Salem’s buildings are not always straight which can make photographing them difficult. It’snot just an excuse for the photographer. Well, maybe a little. But, due to soil erosion and the age of some of the buildings in the area, the buildings have shifted. So, while a window may look straight, the building may, in fact, not be.
I didn’t want to spend the entire day photographing the usual sites. Well, maybe I did include a few popular places in this post. But, I mostly wanted to get some photos of buildings that don’t get as much attention like the Essex Bank Building (built by Charles Bulfinch in 1811).
And the Stepping Stone Inn (built in 1933).
This is the back side of the Old Town Hall in Salem. You may recall seeing this building in the Hocus Pocus movie athough it may look more familiar from the front. It is the oldest municipal building in Massachusetts dating back to 1816. It is now used to display art and historical exhibits. The second floor of the building, called Great Hall, has always been used as a public hall, and contained Town offices until 1837.
Located across from historic Derby Wharf, the Custom House has a
The eagle on top of the house is actually a replica of the original. The original eagle was painted black during the second World War so that it would not be easily detected by any foreign fighters should they attack us on U.S. soil.
Built in 1810 for the prominent Salem merchant Benjamin Crowninshied, The Home For Aged Women (it now operates as the Brookhouse Home) is another one of the more majestic buildings on Derby St. The Brookhouse Home continues to offer assisted living and support to senior women
There’s always a feeling of Halloween in the air in Salem as these doors and windows show. After all, it’s never too early to count down the days until Halloween.
One of the more popular places in Salem, especially during Halloween, the Crow Haven Corner is Salem’s oldest witch shop. Make sure to stop by the next time you’re in the area!
The Salem Witch Museum from a different angle. I love the angles and shapes of the wall and windows.
These doors on an apartment complex on Derby St caught my attention. They both seemed to keep the old style of Salem in their designs.
One of the really cool things about Salem are the old buildings that have survived. While the offices and stores are different than the what was originally housed there, the structures are still the same.
This building, where Rockafella’s restaurant is now located, was used as the first meeting house in Salem from 1634 to 1673. Prior to that, as the sign suggests, it was used for worship in July and August of 1629.
The sign for Daniel Low & Co is a sign from a store which operated on Washington St. It operated from 1874 until 1995.
Named after Aaron Waite and Jerathmiel Peirce, the Salem Maritime Museum store on Derby Street sells wares associated with your trip to Salem. There are also helpful park rangers there to help you during your visit.
Dogs weren’t afraid to venture out to Salem on the 13th either.
Luna is a 6 month old liver pepper mini Schnauzer.
Bella is a 14 year old American Pitbull Terrier.
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August 1st, 2018 at 1:57 pm
It’s so cute Salem has a window box competition! Also the dogs are adorable! Great photos! 😄
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August 1st, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Thank you, Karalee! Yes,l I only found out about the window box competition recently. Just before they were being judged. I am going to try to photograph all of them next year!
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August 1st, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Luna’s a lovely little dog!
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August 1st, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Yes she really is. Thank you!
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August 1st, 2018 at 4:18 pm
ella is so adorable. What a sweetie. I would love to go into some of those wonderful shops. Excellent post. Thank you.
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August 1st, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Thank you! The shops are awesome! They have so many different crafts and items you don’t see in most stores. Some very talented people work in those stores. In fact, I was going to post some photos of the inside of some of the stores on my Facebook page. But I may have to include them in a future post.
And, yes, Bella is such a cutie. I had two really good shots of her. I chose the one with her showing her teeth a little when she was smiling. I thought it showed off her personality a little. Very sweet pup.
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August 2nd, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Gah, I love all the brick structures and pathways! Wonderful pictures! ❤️
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August 2nd, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Thank you! That is one of the things that makes Salem so beautiful. I could spend all day or an entire week just photographing the architecture of the city. So beautiful.
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August 3rd, 2018 at 7:23 am
You’re welcome! Happy Trails! 🍃😊
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August 3rd, 2018 at 6:38 am
Is that a patriot blue dinosaur? I love that!
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August 3rd, 2018 at 6:55 am
Yes, a patriotic dinosaur! There is a cool story behind that photo that I should have elaborated on. Every year, during October, the owner of the property decorated that area in a Halloween themed way. But during the summer they just dress the dinosaur up for the 4th of July.
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August 4th, 2018 at 1:23 am
That is very cool, I bet they have a fun time putting Halloween together.
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August 4th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Yes, they definitely do!
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August 4th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
One of my early American ancestors came from Salem – it is on my bucket list of travel places. Great post!
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August 4th, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Was he or she a witch? ( : That is really cool, though! You definitely should visit!
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August 4th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
It was a man and I think he was a regular guy. I will need to check the genealogy…
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