The town of Salisbury was settled by a band of pioneers from the nearby North Shore towns of Old Newbury and Ipswich, many of whom had come from Salisbury, England in 1638.

During the years 1649 through 1679, Salisbury held the title of "Shiretown" for the county of Norfolk which was composed of the New Hampshire plantations of Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth and Dover. Salisbury then united with the town of Haverhill, which at the time encompassed all the towns in between. In 1679, by order of the King of England, the area was separated and made a part of Essex County in Massachusetts.

From the earliest days of the settlement, the fisheries of Salisbury carried on a successful business. On the Merrimack River in the Rings Island district, fish were dried on stages and stored in warehouses.

In 1865, the first house was erected on beautiful Salisbury Beach and the following year a plank road was built to make the popular seashore more accessible. House lots were rented and more cottages were built.

Today Salisbury Beach draws vacationers from all parts of the country for its amusements, excitement, salt water and sand.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a family campground situated on the beach at the mouth of the Merrimack River on the Atlantic Ocean. Facilities include parking for 4,000 cars, tent and trailer sites, children's playground, snack bar and boat ramp.

Spotlight on Salisbury :

Population: 17,995

Square Miles: 19.95

Tax rate fiscal 2008: $8.46

Government: Town Manager / Board of Selectmen

How To Contact:

Town Hall : 978-462-8232

Town Manager: 978-465-2310

Police: Emergency 911 non-emerg: 978-465-3121

Fire: Emergency 911 non-emerg: 978-465-3631

Hospital/Emerg.: Anna Jaques Hospital : 978-463-1000

Schools:

Salisbury Elementary School (1-6) : 978-463-5852

Triton Middle School (7-8): 978-8171

Triton High School : 978- 462-8171 Superintendent: 978-465-2397

Library: 978-465-5071

MBTA Commuter Rail Service: from Newburyport to Boston with stations in Ipswich and Rowley. Schedules and Information: (800) 392-6100 or www.mbta.com