Established in 1667 and once partly swamp, the Salem Common is the open green at the heart of the Salem Common Historic District where you have stopped. The Common itself was established in 1667 and in that early period was partially a swamp. Until 1802 there was no enclosing fence, and livestock were allowed to roam freely across this open green.
In 1802 a subscription was put forth to beautify the park, and later the current wrought iron fence you see was built in 1850 and has since undergone restoration. Nearby, note the white archway at the north entrance: its original design was by Samuel McIntire but was removed because of its condition, and the archway you pass under today is a replica made in 1976. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1976, and was further expanded on June 27, 2002.
The district’s boundaries include the Essex Institute Historic District, a cluster of buildings along Essex and Brown streets owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. Nearby on Winter Street is the Joseph Story House, built in 1811 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story and later added to the National Register. Now let your eye travel to the wrought‑iron fence, the white archway at the north entrance, and out toward Bridge, Derby, and St. Peter’s streets and Collins Cove.