This is a timeline of the history of the city of Salem, Massachusetts, United States.
Timeline
17th century
1626
English settlers arrive. 1629 Town of Salem incorporated.
1636
First muster on Salem Common. This was the first time that a regiment of militia drilled for the common defense of a multi-community area, thus laying the foundation for what became the Army National Guard. 1644 Fort Pickering established.
1649
Salem Custom House built. It collected taxes on imported cargoes. 1651 Pickering House built (approximate date). 1655 The Retire Becket House is built and later moved in 1924 to the campus of the House of the 7 Gables. Retire Beckett's ships were masterpieces and Cleopatra's Barge was the first oceangoing yacht built in the United States. It was built in 1816 at Salem, MA by shipbuilder Retire Becket for owner George Crowninshield Jr. 1664 Pickman House built. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and is not open to the public. 1665 Gedney House built (approximate date). It is now operated as a non-profit museum by Historic New England. The house is rarely open to the public, though private tours can be arranged.
1668
First phase on the original construction by Captain John Turner the 1st. Now the House of the Seven Gables It remained in his family for three generations, descending from John Turner II to John Turner III and then was sold to Captain Ingersol in 1782. After this Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The House of the Seven Gables, a Gothic novel written beginning in mid-1850 by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Elizabeth Cate Upton (1840-1909) purchased the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion in 1883 and lived in the house with her family until 1908 when they sold the site to Caroline Emmerton. When a relative died in 1912, her obituary read: "She was the richest woman in Salem, well known for her charitable disposition and ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who were desirous of helping themselves, and to those who were unable to help themselves." 1675 Jonathan Corwin house completed. Narbonne House built 1680 The Neal House is constructed at 12 Broad Street. 1682 The Hooper-Hathaway House at 23 Washington Street (a former bakery) was spared demolition moved next to the House of the 7 Gables (sparing demolition) in 1911 by a team effort of Caroline Emmerton and Historic New England. John Ward House built. The house was moved to its present site in 1910 and restored by the Peabody Essex Museum. It is open for viewing on guided tour. Rooms on the first floor feature 17th-century furnishings. 1688 William Murray House built 1692 Salem witch trials begin.
18th century
1727
Crowninshield-Bentley House built (c. 1727 – 1730). A Colonial house in the Georgian style, located at 126 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts in the Essex Institute Historic District. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and open for public tours from June to October. 1750 Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace a wooden house built on Union Street and moved in 1958 to the House of the 7 Gables property and now a Historic District. On the 4th of July 1804 to 1808 Hawthorne lived. American author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. It is located at 27 Hardy Street but accessible through 54 Turner Street, Salem, Massachusetts. The house is now a nonprofit museum along with the House of the Seven Gables 1757 Samuel McIntire (January 16, 1757 – February 6, 1811) American architect and craftsman, born in Salem. He built a simple home and workshop on Summer Street in 1786. 1760 Salem Social Library organized. 1762 Derby House built Derby Wharf (1762, extended 1806) – Salem's longest wharf (nearly 1/2 mile). When in active use, it was lined with warehouses of goods from around the world. The Derby Wharf Light (1871) remains at the end of the wharf. 1766 Salem Marine Society instituted. 1768 Essex Gazette newspaper begins publication. 1773 Nathaniel Bowditch (March 26, 1773 – March 16, 1838) American mathematician, born in Salem.