Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States.
The population was 28,776 at the 2010 census. Being located on
Interstate 93 as the first town in New Hampshire, which lacks any
state sales tax, Salem has grown into a commercial hub, anchored by
the Mall at Rockingham Park. Other major sites include Canobie Lake
Park, a large amusement park; and America's Stonehenge, a stone
structure of disputed origins. It is the former home of Rockingham
Park, a horse racetrack. The Sununu political family hails from Salem,
including former New Hampshire governor and White House Chief of Staff
John H. Sununu, and his sons John E. Sununu, a former U.S. senator,
and Chris Sununu, current New Hampshire governor.The area was first
settled in 1652. As early as 1736, Salem was the "North Parish" of
Methuen, Massachusetts, or "Methuen District". In 1741, when the
boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was fixed, the
"North Parish" became part of New Hampshire, and was given the name
"Salem", taken from nearby Salem, Massachusetts. The town was
incorporated in 1750 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. The
meetinghouse of the old north parish, erected in 1738, still stands,
eventually becoming the town hall of Salem before it was turned into
the Salem Historical Society museum.The area was first settled in
1652. As early as 1736, Salem was the "North Parish" of Methuen,
Massachusetts, or "Methuen District". In 1741, when the boundary line
between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was fixed, the "North Parish"
became part of New Hampshire, and was given the name "Salem", taken
from nearby Salem, Massachusetts. The town was incorporated in 1750 by
Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. The meetinghouse of the old north
parish, erected in 1738, still stands, eventually becoming the town
hall of Salem before it was turned into the Salem Historical Society
museum.In 1902, Canobie Lake Park was established in Salem by the
Massachusetts Northeast Street Railway Company, to encourage leisure
excursions on its trolleys. The plan was successful, and the
enterprise quickly became one of the leading resorts of its type in
New England. Crowds arrived from all over, including the nearby mill
towns of Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell and Methuen in Massachusetts, and
Manchester and Nashua in New Hampshire. Factory workers and others
found respite strolling along tree-lined promenades, between
flower-beds or beside the lake. Rides, arcades and a dance hall
provided lively entertainments. The rise of the automobile, however,
brought the decline of the trolley. But Canobie Lake Park, one of the
few former street railway amusement resorts still in existence,
continues to be popular.Other features of Salem's tourism history
include America's Stonehenge, a curiosity (formerly "Mystery Hill"). A
recent attraction in town is the Icenter, a skating arena. Salem, New Hampshire Top Movies & Young Movies