Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
First Armed Resistance
Leslie's Retreat
Photographed by Michael Cleary, August 7, 2023
1. First Armed Resistance Marker - post cleaning
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is February 26, 1775.
Location. 42° 31.49′ N, 70° 53.983′ W. Memorial is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It is at the intersection of North Street and North Street & Commercial Street, on the right when traveling south on North Street. This marker is walking distance from the other "Leslie's Retreat" marker. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 74 North Street, Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leslie's Retreat (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wesley United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doctor John G. Treadwell Medical Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Witch Gaol (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Curwen House & Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nathaniel Bowditch House (approx. Ό mile away); Ropes Mansion & Garden (approx. Ό mile away); Alexander Graham Bell (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.
Related marker.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Leslie's Retreat, the Salem Gunpowder Raid and Resistance - February 26, 1775.
Excerpt: This account of the incident ... is based on an article that appeared in the Essex Gazette on Tuesday, February 28, 1775. It is assumed Timothy Pickering wrote the article that appeared in the Gazette.(Submitted on August 7, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts.)
2. North Street Overpass.
Excerpt: This necessitated the razing of the historic bridge that was the site of Leslie's Retreat in 1775.(Submitted on August 7, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Michael Tiernan, October 18, 2011
2. First Armed Resistance Marker
Sorry that this is so hard to read. I've taken multiple shots of this marker and this is the best overall. (This is what happens when you live near the ocean.)
Photographed by Michael Tiernan, October 18, 2011
3. First Armed Resistance Marker
Here the marker can be seen. The canal behind the marker is salt water. The brige in the marker is long gone and replaced by a more modern interchange (behind me taking this picture).
Photographed by Michael Cleary, August 7, 2023
4. First Armed Resistance Monument, showing current North Street embankment
The North River is a tidal estuary. West of this point it has been converted to the canal that is visible in the photos, next to the monument company. East of this point it flows under the embankment to a larger estuary and then to the Danvers River and the ocean. The embankment and overpass opened in 1952, replacing the bridge that was central to Leslie's Retreat. More details can be found in some of the links.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,818 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on August 7, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
