Salisbury Historical Society at Ministers Corner

The "East Salisbury Female Temperance Society" was established at least by 1834. We hold an original draft of their Constitution, and can't help but smile over some of the language; for example, Article 4 states: "Resolved that we will not encourage the addresses of any man who is familiar with the intoxicating bowl."

RINGS ISLAND, SALISBURY as seen from Newburyport (postcard published by Hugh C. Leighton Co. of Portland, ME between 1906 and 1909):

Schoolhouse at Salisbury Beach, built in 1895. Still there (as a private residence) on Railroad Ave. (Don't be looking for the outhouse, however!)

A (free) sponsored event by Salisbury Historical Society:

Here's a fun photo from our collection. The introduction of llamas to the U.S. was late 1800's, and soon after, fashion accommodated. We would guess, however, that it's a 1920's style (cloche) hat so the date of the photo is probably from that period.

Tonight!

Skip over to our website for the story. https://www.salisburyhistorical.org/blog

In a letter to the editor of the Newburyport Daily News, Dec. 14, 1931, one reader mused about an earlier time; he makes mention of Our House (another lodging establishment at Black Rocks), "where plenty of ardent could be obtained with the resulting consequence of numerous fights..."

posted from "Cushing, MA, Jul 20, 1908". Salisbury Square looking south (as if toward the Merrimack or Newburyport).

Hotel Black Rocks: 1910-1911

Yankee Magazine, oh yah! Read about Mary (Perkins) Bradbury and our involvement in a special commemorative event this past June. It was such an honor to host this very special family celebration. (To provide proper balance to the intriguing story in the January/February edition of Yankee Magazine by Bradbury descendant Alexandra Pecci, however, her distant cousin Rae Bradbury reminds us that Mary's legacy should not be reduced to an illogical accusation of WITCH!)

https://issuu.com/yankeemagazine/docs/yankeemagazine_janfeb2024

Read about our "Scenes of Salisbury" Quilt Project on our website: https://www.salisburyhistorical.org/blog

The "Merrimac" and the "Merrimack": 2 different steamboats that traveled the Merrimack River.

The steamboat "Merrimac" was built on Ring's Island as a pleasure vessel in 1892 by Lemuel Marquand for the Merrimack Valley Steamboat Co., owned by Edward P. Shaw. It was a 200-ton stern-wheeler that could transport 800 passengers. It enjoyed great popularity for the brief period from 1892 to 1911. The Merrimac ferried passengers from Haverhill to Black Rocks and Newburyport. In 1915 it was burned and scrapped for iron.

The "Merrimack" was an entirely different steamboat that was in service much earlier. That side-wheeler saw action in the Civil War; because of its shallow draft, it could navigate into trickier spots.

Bunch's Place at Brown's Park, 1930's. Other than Harry G. "Bunch" Sturgis, what other family owned this restaurant that specialized in chowders and fried clams?

Don't miss this!

The 1960 Season at Frank Mulcahey's Frolics entertainment hall was kicked off July 1 by Sammy Davis Jr., who crooned for two shows nightly for nine nights. The line-up for the season included heavyweight stars such as Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, The Brothers Four, Johnny Mathis, Frankie Avalon, the Maguire Sisters, Paul Anka, with Liberace closing out the season (by September 4.)

Check out our new website!

Salisbury Historical Society | Home It is the mission of the Salisbury Historical Society to gather, record, and preserve artifacts from throughout Salisbury’s history that illuminate our collective experiences, and to facilitate the public’s understanding and appreciation of our past.

Dock Lane looking toward Beach Road (with rear of Sherb Eaton's barn in view), year 1924.

Oct. 6, 1921 marked the dedication of the Jacob F. Spalding School at 7 Park Street. Salisbury's beloved Dr. Spalding made his last public appearance at his dedication. (He died 11 days later at the age of 79.)

Red Feather Cottage: If you are standing directly in front of, and facing, the 95 Lafayette Rd. property, this popular restaurant/event venue was to its immediate right. When the lot on which it stands was deeded by Daisy McBurnie and Louise Holt to H. Allen, the restaurant was included, so we know that the McBurnie sisters began that restaurant. It continued under the management of Herbert “Mac” Allen and his wife Helen; the numerous events held there by the Allens suggest that it only grew in popularity. Allen was forced to give up the name in 1948 after a legal challenge from a Boston fundraising agency of the same name; thereafter, it was simply “The Red Cottage”. “The Red Cottage” burned down Feb. 3, 1957.

H. Allen’s name is more readily recognized as the developer of the Allen Drive housing neighborhood.

Our holiday "sprites" prepared The Parsonage for a last-of-the-season open house Nov. 28

DELTIOLOGY: the study and collecting of postcards.

Sept. 5, 1913: "Dear Kiddies: We are here after visiting Newburyport, Plum Island, crossing Merrimack to Black Rocks, are now waiting for Hampton car. Imagine you down by the brook roasting corn. Great day for vacationists. . . Have a good time one and all. Love to all —Pa + Ma"

Hunter Stetz — two weeks from today!

Perhaps early-ish 1800's oxen yoke. (Pretty standard stuff for an agricultural community, what say you?)

Photo taken c1886: MACRIS refers to this location as the "Samuel Pike" home and barn on Ferry Road (at juncture with Pleasant Street). Construction date c1710. At the time this picture was taken, Nicholas T. Pike (Samuel's son) appears to have been the owner.

Mark your calendars to attend our next sponsored event (at Town Hall): Hunter Stetz on "Understanding Native American History Through Archeological Discoveries"

The Marshes, Salisbury Beach, Mass. ("Sept. 6, 1908. We are at York Beach and it is just fine. . . Inez". )

Mildred G. Hartson (1904-1997), known to familiars as "Millie", left several paintings to the Salisbury Historical Society. This photo, entitled "New England Coast", doesn't give an accurate clue to its diminutive size — it's barely two inches on its long edge. Millie was a prolific artist, and often demonstrated her skills on her popular "miniatures". Come see some of her paintings at the Society at our next Open House, Saturday, October 14.

In the summer of 1916 the Salisbury Board of Trade announced that the old "ugly looking structure" would be replaced. This was the new bandstand that soon appeared.

Trying to solve a mystery here (of the recent sort). We arrived one day a few weeks back and discovered this in our driveway. We have no idea who gave it to us. It's a Duce bumper car, which presumably would have been at the Beach sometime in the 70's (when it was popular in these parts.) Can anyone help us unravel the mystery of who left it for us?