Salem Custom House

There’s been a custom house in Salem since 1645. The purpose then was to collect taxes on imported goods for the British government. This purpose came to pass on to the American government as well after the US Customs Service was created in 1789.

This particular custom house was the last of 13 to stand in Salem, built in 1819. Salem was once a major port city and this building represented the federal government’s presence, hence the rock solid facade of this fine old building.