Bridge Street Neck Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridge Street Neck Historic District
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Bridge Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salem, Massachusetts |
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| Architectural style | Georgian, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000790 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 2002 |
The Bridge Street Neck Historic District is a special neighborhood in Salem, Massachusetts. It's a place where many homes are found, and it's full of history! This area is on a piece of land that sticks out into the water, connecting Salem to Beverly. People have lived and worked here since the early 1600s, when Salem was first settled.
This historic district is mainly a residential area, meaning lots of houses are here. It follows Bridge Street, which is the main road linking Salem to Beverly. The district is bordered by railroad tracks on one side and the shore on the other. It also connects to the Salem Common Historic District to the south. In 2002, this important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Exploring the Bridge Street Neck History
The Bridge Street Neck neighborhood has a long and interesting past. It grew up around the main road and bridge that connected Salem to nearby towns like Beverly and Danvers. This made it a busy "gateway" area.
How the Neighborhood Developed
For a long time, shops and businesses lined Bridge Street. These places served people from Salem and the towns around it. They were easy to reach by car. Behind these businesses, you would find many single-family and two-family homes. These houses spread throughout the entire neck of land, all the way to the water.
Traffic Solutions for Bridge Street
Bridge Street used to get very crowded with traffic. To help with this, a new bridge and bypass road were opened in August 2008. This new road, called Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive, helps cars travel directly from Route 1A in Beverly to downtown Salem. It runs along the western side of the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood.
Plans for the Future
From March to August 2009, a special study was done. Its goal was to find ways to make the Bridge Street Neck neighborhood even better. This area is one of the oldest parts of Salem. The plan aims to keep the neighborhood's friendly, homey feel. It also wants to attract more businesses and visitors to the shops. The idea is to make sure the historic buildings and streets look well-cared for.
Images for kids
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Cross Street, which parallels Bridge Street
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Salem - 1820
