Salem Historic District (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Salem Historic District
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Buildings on Main Street, 2008
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| Location | Salem, NY |
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| Nearest city | Hudson Falls |
| Area | 22 acres (8.9 ha) |
| Built | late 19th and early 20th century |
| Architectural style | Various |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001234 |
| Added to NRHP | 1975 |
The Salem Historic District is a special area in Salem, New York. It's found along Main Street (also known as NY 22) and Broadway. This district covers about 22 acres (9 hectares) and includes 79 buildings.
Most of these buildings were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They are important because they show the history of Salem. Salem might be the oldest village in Washington County that has always had people living in it. It was also one of the first villages in New York State to become an official town. Many buildings survived a big fire in 1840 and are still standing today. In 1975, this area was officially recognized as a historic district and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploring the Salem Historic District
The Salem Historic District is shaped like a cross. It includes all the buildings on both sides of Main Street. This goes from the old Delaware and Hudson Railroad tracks in the north to Park Place in the south.
What Does the District Look Like?
The district's western edge is where the old railroad tracks meet County Route 30. Its eastern edge is near the former county courthouse along County Route 153. The district stretches about 200 feet (61 meters) out from these roads.
This area has 79 buildings. Most of them were built in the late 1800s. The parts of Main Street and Broadway closer to the center of town have many shops and businesses. As you move away from the center, you'll see more homes. Route 153 has fewer buildings, with tall trees that lead to the county courthouse and Salem High School.
A Look Back: Salem's History
Salem was first settled around 1761 by three men from Pelham, Massachusetts. This makes it one of the earliest settlements in Washington County. The spot where their first log cabins stood is now home to the Abrams Building on North Main Street.
How Salem Began
Three years later, the settlers brought their families. They received a special land grant for about 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of land from the colonial governor. They promised two colonial officials half of the land in return. At that time, this area was part of a larger region called Charlotte County.
Those two officials later sold their half of the land to an Irish minister. He had brought his followers to North America to escape religious problems. This led to the building of a schoolhouse and a church. These were the first in the county and among the very first north of Albany. The two groups of settlers lived together peacefully.
Salem During the Revolutionary War
Soon after the American Revolutionary War started in 1777, General Philip Schuyler of the Continental Army gave an order. He told the town to leave because John Burgoyne's army was moving into the area during the Saratoga Campaign. Some men stayed behind. They took apart the schoolhouse logs to build Fort Salem. This fort was located near the First Presbyterian Church on East Broadway. However, local Loyalists burned it down in September of that year.
One local man, John Williams, gathered a local group of soldiers. He became a great leader during the war and was made a colonel. When the war ended, he retired as a brigadier general. He built a large house on what is now East Broadway. For many years, it was the biggest and most fancy house in the village.
Oldest Homes and New Styles
The oldest house still standing in the village is the Judge Blanchard home on East Broadway. It was built in 1790. This house shows the Georgian style, which was popular before the Revolution. It's a wooden building on a raised foundation with windows placed evenly. It also has a special Palladian window above the entrance.
Later, the Federal style became popular. You can see this style in the Judge McLean home further down the street. It has a special oval-shaped window (fanlight) and side windows next to the main entrance.
Growth and Change in Salem
The next year, in 1791, Washington Academy was started. It was the sixth school in New York State to become officially recognized. In 1803, Salem became an official village. This made it one of the first villages in the state to do so. Eight years later, a new school building was built on West Broadway. This was the first of several schools on that site.
Many early buildings and records of Salem's history were lost in a big fire in 1840. Because of this fire, the Proudfit Building was constructed where the two main roads meet. This building now holds the village offices, the public library, a theater, and the fire and police departments. It was built with $10,000 given by a local bank president. He said the village had to raise the same amount of money to get his donation. The Proudfit family gave half of that matching money, and the building was named after them to show thanks.
In 1939, the school district was changed. The last school building downtown was turned into apartments. A new school was built on the land where the old Williams estate used to be.
Important Buildings in the District
Many buildings in the Salem Historic District are special. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Judge Blanchard House, East Broadway. Built in 1790, this is the oldest house in the village. It clearly shows the Georgian style.
- First Presbyterian Church, East Broadway. This church has a front porch with tall, round Doric columns. It's a great example of Greek Revival style in the village.
- Proudfit Building, West Broadway and South Main Street. Built in 1890, this fancy brick and stucco building is the village hall, public library, and a theater. It has been the center of the village since it was first built.
- Proudfit-Sherman House, East Broadway. This is considered the best Greek Revival house in the village. It has a front porch similar to the Presbyterian church, but with Ionic columns.
- Washington County Courthouse, West Broadway. This fancy brick building looks almost exactly as it did when it was built in 1869, except its bell tower was removed.
Keeping History Alive
In 2008, the village government created a Historic Preservation Commission. Their job is to help keep the historic look and feel of the district. This commission has five members chosen by the mayor. They serve for three years. Two members must own property in the district. One must be an architect with experience in preserving old buildings. Another must be a historian.
The commission reviews all building projects or changes to the outside of buildings in the district that need a building permit. They also survey the district and suggest new properties that should be named local landmarks.
