An introduction to our small, coastal New England village and the interesting historic sites you will discover along the walking tour.

​

This exuberant Shingle Style building with a working clock tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.​

​

Named as a place to honor our war veterans and used for recreation for over a century since the land was purchased by the Town in 1893.​

​

Housed in the steeple is an original Paul Revere bell, cast in 1707. The first minister, Reverend John Wise, was one of the earliest to speak out against the Salem Witchcraft Delusion of 1692.

​

Laid out in 1680, the Old Burying Ground was the site of the notorious grave robberies of 1818. The Hearse House still stands and is believed to be one of only three left in America.

​

For 55 years, this building was a two-room schoolhouse for 60 pupils in grades one through eight. It later became a meeting hall for veterans and today houses Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum exhibits and archives.

​

For over 300 years, close to 4,000 wooden vessels–more two-masted vessels than any other town in the world–were built and launched in Essex. The majority of vessels were fishing schooners. At its peak in 1851, sixty vessels launched from 15 shipyards.

​

Preserving American maritime history in the heart of Essex at the site of the historic Story Shipyard, established in 1813.

​

This main roadway served the needs of Essex shipyards and brought together two parts of a town. Upstream, a spar pond held logs used for masts and booms so they would not dry out.​

​

Built in 1870 to transport ice cut from Chebacco Lake, the railroad later carried Boston picnickers to Centennial Grove.

​

In the mid 1800’s, this building was the second firehouse built in South Essex.

​

This tidal waterway is central to Essex’s economic vitality - from the early days of shipbuilding to shellfishing, boating and recreation today.

The largest contiguous acreage of salt marsh north of Long Island, extending from Cape Ann to Salisbury, Massachusetts.

​

Regarded as “America’s Antiques Capital”, Essex has long been a collector’s, dealer’s and decorator’s paradise.

​

This part of town, South Essex, was home to several small shops and one large shoe factory at the end of the 19th century.

​

This Federal-style structure was the gathering place of several different congregations - spanning nearly 200 years.

​