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.

If you want to see more posts, photos, videos and other content please like me on Facebook or just “like me”!