History of Salisbury, Massachusetts, USA

1638 - Salisbury is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1639 - Salisbury is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Salisbury
Salisbury, Massachusetts
Essex county. In 1638 this town was granted, by the name of Merrimack, to be a plantation, unto Simon Bradstreet, Daniel Dennison, and others. The year following it was incorporated by the name of Colchester, and in 1640 assumed, by direction of the then general court, the name of Salisbury. It is seven by three miles in extent, and is bounded southerly by the river Merrimack, westerly by Powow river, which divides it from the town of Amesbury, northerly by the New Hampshire line, which separates it from the towns of South Hampton and Seabrook, and easterly by the sea.

In 1643, the plantation in New Hampshire, viz. Hampton, Exeter, Portsmouth and Dover, were united to Massachusetts, and, together with Salisbury and Haverhill, formed into a new and distinct county, called Norfolk, of which Salisbury was the shire town, and so continued to the year 1679, when New Hampshire was again separated and formed into a royal government. In August, 1737,... Read MORE...

1845 - SALISBURY. [Pop. 2,739. Inc. 1639.]
This town, which once included Amesbury, was named from Salisbury in England, whence the first minister came.

It is the most northeasterly town in the State, and lies on the north bank of the Merrimack, over which is an excellent bridge connecting it with Newburyport.

Its chief manufactures are shoes, and cotton and woollen goods. Ship building is also attended to, and the Frigate Alliance was built here during the war of Independence.

Distance from Salem, 24 miles ; from Boston, 35.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Salisbury
Salisbury, a post-township in Essex co., Massachusetts, intersected by the Eastern railroad, 38 miles N. by E. from Boston, contains several villages, a bank and a savings' institution. Pop., 3100.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1866 - In 1866, Beach Road was constructed across Great Marsh, providing access to the town's five miles of pristine beach.
It developed into a thriving summer resort, lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, cottages, arcades and amusement parks.
Wikipedia

Salisbury Massachusetts, 1890
Salisbury forms the northeastern extremity of Essex County and of the State. It is bounded on the east by the ocean, on the south by Newburyport, on the west by Amesbury, and on the north by Seabrook in New Hampshire. Its assessed area is 8,313 acres, of which some 1,500 are forest.

The land in the eastern section is low and marshy, furnishing large quantities of salt hay. A beautiful sea-beach of yellow sand extends north and south about three miles, and is very wide, hard, clean and smooth. It has become quite a fashionable summer resort; and this shore is enlivened by long rows of summer houses, many of fantastic appearance, with a hotel or two. The geological formation of the town is Merrimack schist, sienite, drift and alluvium. In the western part of the town the land rises into several handsome eminences, the most prominent being Monday, Grape and Powow hills; the summit of the latter being 328 feet above the level of the sea. From this beautifully rounded elevation may be... Read MORE...

1895 - Salisbury / Salisbury Point / Salisbury Beach
Salisbury, or Salisbury Point, a post-village of Essex co., Mass., in Salisbury township, near the N. of the Merrimac River, adjacent to the village of Amesbury Ferry, on a branch of the Eastern Railroad, about 11 miles N.E. of Haverhill, and 24 miles N. of Salem. It contains a newspaper office, several churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, a high school, and several manufactories of carriages. A chain suspension-bridge over the river connects Salisbury with Newburyport. Salisbury township is bounded on the E. by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the S. by the Merrimac River. It has 6 churches, also manufactures of woollen goods and hats, 8 boat-yards, and 10 carriage-factories. It was first settled about 1636. Pup. of township, 4078.

Salisbury Beach, a village and summer resort of Essex co., Mass., in Salisbury township, on the Atlantic Ocean, 4 miles N.E. of Newburyport. It has 2 large hotels and several boarding-houses.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1896 - FIVE MEN IN THE RIGGING.
DARKNESS SHUT IN ON THE WRECK OF THE SCHOONER FLORIDA.
LIFE CREW WALKED TWELVE MILES IN THE STORM, BUT FAILED TO EFFECT A RESCUE - TWO BODIES CAME IN.

Newburyport, Mass., Feb. 9. - A three-masted schooner, supposed to be the Florida of New York, went ashore this afternoon off Salisbury Beach.

When first observed by two Seabrook fishermen seven men were seen on the schooner. The attempted to launch the yawl boat but it was smashd to pieces in the terrible seas. The men then took to the rigging and lashed themselves to the main and mizzen masts.

There is no life saving station at Salisbury Beach the nearest one being at Plum Island but the Merrimac River separates them and there is no means of communication except via Newburyport.

The telephone station is three miles distant and to this point one of he fishermen hastened. He communicated with this city and the station at Plum Island was notified.

The life savers crossed the river and walked half a dozen miles in the face ... Read MORE...

1906
Salisbury, a post-village of Essex co., Mass., in Salisbury township (town), near the N. bank of the Merrimac River and on the Boston and Maine R., 11 miles NE. of Haverhill. It is connected by bridge with Newburyport. Salisbury town has some manufactures. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1558.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

(Salisbury Beach) A carousel called The Flying Horses, hand carved by Charles I. D. Looff, was installed in 1914.
John Miller built The Sky Rocket, the beach's first roller coaster. A Dodgem ride, originally built by Max and Harold Stoeher of Methuen, operated at Salisbury Beach in one form or another from 1920 to 1980. Major entertainers provided concerts, including Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Liberace.
Wikipedia

2023 - There are plenty of things to see and do in Salisbury. Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in this lovely coastal town:
Salisbury Beach State Reservation: Start your visit with a trip to Salisbury Beach State Reservation. This beautiful sandy beach stretches for miles and is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and even fishing. It's an ideal spot for a relaxing day by the ocean.

Merrimack River: The Merrimack River runs through Salisbury, making it a great place for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. You can rent equipment from local vendors or bring your own and explore the scenic river.

Salisbury Rail Trail: If you're into biking or walking, the Salisbury Rail Trail is a wonderful way to explore the town's natural beauty. This 1.4-mile trail follows the path of a former railway and takes you through salt marshes and wooded areas.

Blue Ocean Music Hall: Check the event calendar for the Blue Ocean Music Hall. This intimate venue hosts live concerts, comedy shows, and other performances, making it a great spot for entertainment in the evenings.

Historic New England's Cogswell's ... Read MORE...