If you’re looking to explore early American history you don’t have to go much further than Salem, Massaachusetts. Settled by the Europeans in 1629, the town became an important seaport and trading hub. There was plenty of excitement to be found at the docks, and the port town had its run-ins with pirates throughout the decades. Salem also played a major role in the American Revolution and became a center for privateering.
The Witch House: At the corner of North and Essex Street stands an imposing black home with multiple gables and small, shuttered windows. This is the infamous Witch House of Salem. Built in the 16th Century, it was once the home to Judge Jonathon Corwin, a man who played a major role in the witch trials. The home has been the subject of many paranormal investigations, with whispers and footsteps being caught on recordings.
The Hawthorne Hotel: Named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The House of Seven Gables, the hotel was built in 1925. It quickly got a reputation for being haunted when guests reported being awakened by cold taps on their backs and lights turning on in their room. It’s said that rooms 325 and 612 are the most active, and some say the spirits of rowdy pirates and seafarers are the main culprits.
The Grimshawe House: This yellow wooden building at the corner of the graveyard appears to be forgotten by time and neglected by the present. The historic home once belonged to the Peabody family, whose daughter Sophia married author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although the house has been vacant for decades, people walking the street below report seeing figures standing at the windows, staring at the passerbys.
Salem’s Underground Tunnels: Like all towns that claim an active paranormal energy, Salem has a series of underground tunnels. One tunnel is located under Rockafellas, the former first church of Salem turned restauraunt. The tunnel itself is now used to store supplies; however, the apparition of “the blue lady” is known to walk through the darkness there, seeking justice.
Old Burying Point Cemetery: This historic old cemetery–the oldest in Salem–is highly atmospheric. Weather-worn stones are scattered about the land, marking the graves of some of Salem’s most notorious citizens. Visitors who walk through the hallowed grounds have claimed to hear the cries of the dead, and apparitions of the dead have been caught on film/camera. Guided tours are available and recommended.
The Best Ghost Tours in Salem
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