Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1301686
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 36 NOVEMBER 2020 FAC E S + P L AC E S Salem is best known, of course, for the witch trials that shook the town more than 300 years ago. This history—and the city's present-day embrace of all things witchy and magic—are major reasons the city attracts more than a million visitors every year. Those who love Salem, however, will tell you there is so much more to the city's past and present. The beautiful historical architecture, a world-class museum, and plentiful opportunity for shopping. And then there's the food. "We consider ourselves to be the number one food city on the North Shore," says Karen Scalia, founder of Salem Food Tours, which offers trolley tours and guided walks focused on the culinary offerings of the city. Salem's foodie history goes back to the late 18th century, when sea captain Jonathan Carnes made a valuable discovery on a trading mission to Sumatra. Carnes had learned of a spot with bountiful pepper and willing trading partners, and he was eager to capitalize on his secret. In 1795, he and a few carefully chosen, discreet investors, mounted an expedition. Though the complete journey took some 18 months, it was, in the end, a rousing success. Carnes returned to a stunned Salem with more than 140,000 pounds of pepper, D A T E O F S E T T L E M E N T 1626 D A T E O F I N C O R P O R A T I O N 1629 D A T E O F C I T Y 1836 A R E A 18.3 square miles P O P U L A T I O N 43,302 Z I P C O D E 01970, 01971 M E D I A N H O U S E H O L D I N C O M E $ 65,565 inventor Alexander Graham Bell, writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, singer Mary Lou Lord, co-founder of Parker Brothers games George Parker, television host Steve Thomas, craftsman Bob Vila, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch N O T A B L E R E S I D E N T S THE DETAILS: SALEM and his investors made back their money sevenfold. Carnes' venture quickly attracted competitors, and soon Salem was the epicenter of a very profitable spice trade. Today, Salem's food scene might not have the same levels of global intrigue, but it does offer visitors a wide range of flavors, cuisines, and dining experiences to choose from. The city's development into a food destination has been a work-in-progress for the past ten years, Scalia says. Restaurants, gourmet shops, and the local farmers market have all contributed to solidifying Salem's growing PHOTOGRAPHS, TOP TO BOTTOM BY JOE FERRARO, BY HANNAH DAIGLE History and food collide in this New England town. Shown left, House of the Seven Gables; above, A&J King Bakery wins BONS year after year for its baked goods.