1949 Map of Salem

About this map

Salem and its neighboring North Shore communities appear here at the mid-century peak of their industrial and institutional development. The landscape is heavily marked by regional infrastructure, from the sprawling campus of the Danvers State Hospital and St Johns Preparatory Sch to the dense network of the Boston and Maine RR connecting Peabody and Danvers. This 1949 revision shows the area's transition into a modern suburban hub, yet it preserves deep historical layers through sites like the Old Settlers Burying Ground and Gallows Hill. Along the coast, Salem Harbor remains a focal point of maritime activity, featuring the Derby Wharf and the Salem Terminal Wharf. The map also captures several local institutions that shaped the social fabric of the era, including the State Teachers College and the County Agricultural Sch in Hathorne. Extensive swamps like Wenham Swamp and Blind Hole Swamp illustrate the natural barriers that guided early settlement patterns.