Nelson Dionne is sharing more of his extensive Salem collection with Patch.
This week, Nelson is giving us a peek at industry in Salem from years past.
Nelson wrote the following after he added a photograph to a blog post from our newest contributor Tom McGovern. This is what Nelson had to say:
"The photo on the top of this article was taken in the spring of 1968. It shows the western side of Lafayette Street. All this was taken down shortly after the construction of the Salem central fire station. Many thanks to George Gagnon for having the good sense to take a few rolls of pre-Urban Renewal Salem for posterity."
Thank you, Nelson for sharing this incredible Salem shot!
William Legault
12:41 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
A great shot of a long gone block of buildings. The original Red's is right there towards the center of the photo.
CarleaSkunkrawk
2:02 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
So is the crossing street Derby? I love these old photos ...it's a shame, I wish Salem still looked the same.
William Legault
2:06 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
The street on the right is Front St., you re looking towards Derby. The Sinclair gas sign would be in front of the FD headquarters.
john
2:58 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
If you look up to where the car is crossing the street you can see a Texaco sign,that was(is) the corner of Lafayette and Dodge. Much has changed.
gene
3:07 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
This picture is before construction of the new fire station, not after as the story says.
john
3:20 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
You have misunderstood the story. It does not say after the fire station was built,it says this photo shows what was torn down before the fire station.
gene
5:51 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Got it
john
3:15 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
The picture would have been taken from in front of the former police station on Cental St.
Edward
5:05 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
If you came down New Derby Street today and took a left at the fire HQ/Engine House Pizza, is that the part of Lafayette St. where these establishments were located?
john
5:19 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Yes, where you see Reds and other buisneses is now the parking lot behind the fire station to the corner of Front St
M. M.
5:33 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Wow, now I remember!
Sabrina
7:13 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I wish he had posted a second picture of what it looks like today.
William Legault
11:19 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
As you wish Sabrina. I took this shot this morning.
Donna Albino
9:40 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The road was in better shape in 1968! Thank you to the both of you for this terrific photographs.
Edward
7:50 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I was too young to remember that part of Lafayette Street back then. But it is great to see "before" and "now" pictures of Salem.