What Is Salem Village Called Today: Unveiling Its Modern Identity

What is now known as the town of Salem in Massachusetts was originally founded in 1626 by Roger Conant and officially incorporated into a township three years later. Back in 1692, it was referred to as Salem Town to distinguish it from Salem Village, which is today known as the town of Danvers. Salem currently serves as the county seat of Essex County, Massachusetts.

The reason for the name change from Salem Village to Danvers can be traced back to events occurring approximately 60 years after the infamous Salem witch trials. This change took place due to a protracted effort led by the farming community of Salem Village. They were determined to avoid sharing tax burdens with the inhabitants of Salem Town, which had transformed into a bustling maritime hub, known simply as Salem. The cultural and socioeconomic differences between these two communities had grown significantly over the years, making the villagers of Salem Village feel that their interests were no longer aligned with the town of Salem. As a result, on October 28, 2014, the village officially adopted the name Danvers to assert its autonomy and disassociate itself from the town of Salem.