New England Coastal City famed for the Salem Witch Trials and a rich Maritime History and claims of paranormal activities.

Salem Massachusetts is notorious for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Perhaps because of its history of violent justice, Salem is prone to folklore and spooky occurrences.

Hawthorne Hotel Built as Community Project

Citizens of Salem saw a need for a hotel and decided to build one as a community project. Hotel construction was funded by a public subscription drive, which was an unusual move. The citizens built "Salem's own hotel", which was completed in 1925 and named for the favorite son of the coastal city.

Hawthorne Hotel is brick Federal style hotel, named after famed writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, who spent his childhood in Salem. Hawthorne returned to Salem as an adult and worked as a Surveyor of the Port for three years. While at his Salem home, Hawthorne wrote the classic novel about the Puritans, "The Scarlet Letter."

Ghost Stories

Salem, MA is a Colonial city with chilling tales of haunting, witchcraft and paranormal activity that go back to the days of the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

The first person to be executed during the Witchcraft Trials was Bridget Bishop. She had owned an apple orchard, where the Hawthorne Hotel is now located. People report smelling apples at the hotel, even though apples are not on the menu.

Many of the historic buildings surrounding the Hawthorne Hotel were built by Salem sea captains. The society of sea captains was a vital, lively group that helped the community by assisting the aged and disabled members and their families. The sea captains also established lighthouses and navigational aids for local waterways in this New England Maritime community.

The Salem Marine Society building was razed to make space for the Hawthorne Hotel in the 1920's. People attribute the supernatural occurrences at the hotel to lively sea captains returning to their gathering place.

Guests of the hotel have reported strange sounds and occurrences. The ship's large wheel turns back and forth, for no apparent reason. When people attempt to stop the turning wheel, it resumes motion. on its own.

A houseman who worked on the lower deck found his room setups were rearranged. He thereafter refused to work nights

An investigator for the Sci-Fi Channel program "Ghost Hunters" described a feeling of energy, that is difficult to explain.

Hawthorne Hotel in Modern Times

The television program, "Bewitched" brought notoriety to the hotel when they showed the facade of the hotel on their program about witches in "Salem Saga" episodes. The facade was actually a reproduction, built on a Hollywood studio lot, not the actual hotel.

The brick hotel graces Salem's Historic Common, on Salem's Heritage Trail. Attractions near the hotel include the Salem Witch Museum, the House of Seven Gables, the Historic Salem Harbor and Pickering Wharf. Hawthorne Hotel is conveniently located near the attractions of Salem and area restaurants.

The Hawthorne Hotel today is a full service hotel with modern amenities. Features include concierge services, room service, Nathaniel's Restaurant, The Tavern at the Hawthorne, fitness room, business services and live entertainment. he Hawthorne Hotel is pet friendly. Hawthorne's Ballroom is a popular North Shore wedding venue.

Resources:

hawthornehotel.com

historichotels.org

mysticseaport.org

salemnews.com