Salem Common, like the more famous Boston Common, began as the town's common pasture land, to which each Salem citizen could bring a cow to graze.

Officially named Washington Square, the Common is now Salem's large, pleasant central park (map), with the Hawthorne Hotel at its southwest corner, the famous statue of Roger Conant ("The Puritan") at the eastern end of Brown Street, and the Salem Witch Museum across the street from the statue.

A quiet moment on Salem Common...

Salem Common Playground for toddlers and kindergartners, plus a basketball court, is in the southeast corner of the Common on Washington Square South.

Sun & shade on Salem Common Playground...

MA Route 1A passes right along the edge of the Common via the streets named Washington Square North and Washington Square West.

 

—by Tom Brosnahan

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