This is a timeline of the history of the city of Salem, Massachusetts, United States.

Timeline

17th century 1626 English settlers arrive. Roger Conant (colonist) arrives. Conant arrived at Plymouth Colony from London in 1624. Roger Conant and his family arrived in 1623 in the ship Anne, per Banks, only Roger's brother Christopher Conant is listed as being on the Anne in 1623. 1629 Town of Salem incorporated. John Endecott one of the Fathers of Salem & longest serving Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony arrives in Salem after sailing from England. Today the Endicott Pear Tree, the oldest living fruit tree in North America in Danvers, Massachusetts in what used to be Salem.

1635 The first ropewalk in the Colonial United States is established at Collins Cove in Salem, Massachusetts. A ropewalk was a long, narrow building or open area where hemp fibers were twisted into ropes, essential for maritime activities such as ship rigging, fishing, and trade. Salem, a burgeoning port city in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, relied heavily on its maritime economy, making the ropewalk a critical component of its infrastructure. 1636 First muster on Salem Common. This was the first time that a regiment of militia drilled for the common defense of a multi-community area, thus laying the foundation for what became the Army National Guard. 1637 The first burial occurs in the Old Burying Point Cemetery, now Charter Street Cemetery. 1643 Under Governor John Endecott, construction begins on Fort Pickering, originally Fort William, to fortify Salem’s Winter Island. It was renamed in 1775 for Timothy Pickering, one of Salem's native sons. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

1649 What would be the 1st custom house in Salem is built to collect taxes on imported cargo. Located on what is now the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, it is managed by the National Park Service and is open for tours. 1655 The Retire Becket House is built and later moved in 1924 onto the campus of the House of the Seven Gables. Retire Beckett's was a notable shipbuilder; his Cleopatra's Barge was the first oceangoing yacht built in the United States. It was built in 1816 for owner George Crowninshield Jr. 1660 The Pickering House is constructed in the First Period style on Broad Street in what is today the Chestnut Street District. It is America’s oldest continuously family-occupied home. It is now a museum owned by the Pickering family. 1665 The Pickman House, a First Period structure located on Charter Street, is constructed. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum & is not open to the public. Sources differ on the date the house was built. The Gedney House, an exemplary structure of First Period colonial architecture, was erected on High Street, close to the intersection with Summer Street in the heart of downtown Salem. Preserved and operated as a non-profit museum by Historic New England, the house is infrequently open to the public. 1668 The first phase of the construction of the House of the Seven Gables is completed by John Turner I. It remained in his family for three generations and then was sold to Captain Ingersol in 1782. After this Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The House of the Seven Gables, a Gothic novel written beginning in mid-1850 by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Elizabeth Cate Upton (1840–1909) purchased the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion in 1883 and lived in the house with her family until 1908 when they sold the site to Caroline Emmerton. 1675 Jonathan Corwin house is bought by Jonathan Corwin, a judge in the Salem Witch Trials. Now known as The Witch House, the house was originally built in 1642. The Witch House is managed by the City of Salem as a museum, offers self-guided tours.& located at the corner of Essex Street and Summer Street in the heart of vibrant downtown. Narbonne House is constructed on what is now the Salem Maritime National Historic Site . 1668 On the 14th of October, part of Salem, called Bass River, was set off as the town of Beverly. 1682 The Hooper-Hathaway House at 23 Washington StreetThe sign reads "Hathaways Bread Cake Pastry Store." (a former bakery) was spared demolition moved next to the House of the 7 Gables (sparing demolition) in 1911 by a team effort of Caroline Emmerton and Historic New England. John Ward House built. The house was moved to its present site in 1910 and restored by the Peabody Essex Museum. It is open for viewing on guided tour. Rooms on the first floor feature 17th-century furnishings. 1688 The western section William Murray House was built. It is three window bays wide and a single room in depth. The eastern section, also three bays wide and one room deep, was added in the late 17th or early 18th century. 1692 Salem witch trials begin.

18th century

1712 Richard Derby was born in Salem, father to Elias Hasket Derby. 1727 Crowninshield-Bentley House was built (c. 1727 – 1730). A Colonial house in the Georgian style, located at 126 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts in the Essex Institute Historic District. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum and open for public tours from June to October. It is located in what is now the Essex Institute Historic District. 1728 On June 20, 1728, portions of Salem, Andover, Boxford, and Topsfield in Essex County, Massachusetts, were incorporated to form the new town of Middleton. This was enacted by the Massachusetts General Court to address population growth and administrative needs in the region. 1739 Famous New England merchant Elias Hasket Derby, whose privateering ships took 150 prizes in the American Revolution, was born in Salem. He is believed to be one of the richest Americans at the time. 1745 Timothy Pickering was born in Salem. He was a prominent politician from Massachusetts who was in the United States Congress & the 3rd United States Secretary of State under George Washington. 1750 The Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace is built. It is a wooden house built on Union Street and moved in 1958 to the House of the 7 Gables property and now a Historic District. On the 4th of July 1804 to 1808 Hawthorne lived. American author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. It is located at 27 Hardy Street but accessible through 54 Turner Street, Salem, Massachusetts. The house is now a nonprofit museum along with the House of the Seven Gables. 1757 Samuel McIntire, American architect and craftsman, is born in Salem. 1760 The Salem Social Library, a (proprietary library) was established, also known as the Social Library in Salem, was a proprietary library located in Salem, Massachusetts. One of the earliest lending libraries in the American colonies. 1762 The Derby House is built. Within the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, it is Salem’s oldest brick house. The Georgian style house was home to Richard Derby and his son, Elias Hasket Derby. Derby Wharf (1762, extended 1806), Salem's longest wharf at 0.4 miles, is constructed. The Derby Wharf Light (1871) remains at the end of the wharf. 1766 The Salem Marine Society was established in Salem & still holds meetings at the Hawthorne Hotel.The Salem Marine Society, founded in 1766 in Salem, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest marine societies in the United States, established to support maritime trade, navigation, and the welfare of seafarers. 1767 The Jonathan Neal House is constructed at 12 Broad Street. Jonathan Neil was a carpenter who owned a waterfront warehouse in Salem. Recent research shows that parts of the house may date back to 1652.

1768 The Essex Gazette newspaper begins publication. It was a weekly newspaper established in 1768 by Samuel Hall in Salem, Massachusetts, as the city's first newspaper and the first published in Massachusetts outside Boston. It was the third newspaper to appear in Massachusetts. 1773 Nathaniel Bowditch (March 26, 1773 – March 16, 1838) American mathematician, born in Salem and his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel.

1774 Royal governor General Thomas Gage moved the capital of Massachusetts to Salem in June 1774 as a result of protests resulting from the Boston Tea Party. 1775 On February 26, 1775, patriots raised the drawbridge at the North River, preventing British Colonel Alexander Leslie and his 300 troops of the 64th Regiment of Foot from seizing stores and ammunition hidden in North Salem. This is known today as the Salem Gunpowder Raid. 1776 Fort Lee built for the American Revolutionary War & it was last garrisoned in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. 1780 May 19: New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky over the New England states and parts of Canada, so complete that candles were required from noon on. It is thought to have been caused by a combination of smoke from forest fires, a thick fog, and cloud cover, and did not disperse until the middle of the next night. The Grand Turk was launched in Salem by Elias Hasket Derby. This was the first ship to trade using the Canton System & the Old China Trade. Benjamin Hawkes House (a Federal mansion) built in the Derby Wharf Historic District on Derby Wharf. It was home to Benjamin Hawkes, a prominent shipbuilder. 1781 Salem Philosophical Library organized & in 1810 merged into the newly formed Salem Athenaeum. 1782 Peirce-Nichols House built. It is now a National Historic Landmark. Cotting-Smith Assembly House is built at 138 Federal Street as a Federalist Clubhouse in which balls, concerts, lectures, and other events might be held. It is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. George Washington attended a dance here. The original architect is unknown, but the house was later remodeled by Samuel McIntire for use as a private residence. The house is in the Federal style and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Captain Ingersol mansion, (now the house of the 7 Gables.) John Turner III lost every thing and the house was sold to another mariner, Samuel Ingersoll, in 1782. 1784 The Joshua Ward House, a three-story Federal style brick house was built in 1784 and is one of the first brick houses in Salem. Its interior woodwork was done by noted Salem builder and woodworker Samuel McIntire, including an original staircase that is the oldest surviving staircase created by him. George Washington is reported to have specifically requested staying in this house when he visited Salem in 1789. 1785 Original court house of Essex County Court Buildings built at 32 Federal Street. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 1786 Salem Mercury newspaper begins publication.

1790 Salem Gazette newspaper begins publication. The "Salem Book-Store", which offered books for sale or short-term rental was opened & operated by John Dabney. Salem's population in 1790 was 7,921. 1791 Bakers Island Light established. 1796 Chestnut Street is drafted and is now the Chestnut Street District. 1797 Friendship built. She made 15 voyages during her career, to Batavia, India, China, South America, the Caribbean, England, Germany, the Mediterranean, and Russia; she was captured as a prize of war by the British in September 1812. Salem and Danvers Aqueduct incorporated. 1799 The USS Essex was launched in Salem for the United States Navy & built by Salem shipbuilder Enos Briggs. East India Marine Society established.

19th century

1800 Impartial Register newspaper begins publication. Ebenezer Shillaber Mansion is constructed at 128 Federal Street. 1804 Gardner-Pingree House was built by Samuel McIntire in a Federal style. American Novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on the 4th of July 1804 in Salem. 1805 First Universalist congregation founded. Hamilton Hall built in a Federal style in 1805 by Samuel McIntire and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.