Welcome to the Salem Tunnel Report. Every Monday we will post new and old tunnel finds along with those who built them. In our posts you will learn how Salem has shaped American history from the profits of the smuggling that happened in these tunnels; sometimes for the good, but more often not.
Tunnels under the old Naumkeag Trust Bank on the corner of Derby Square and Essex Street.
This spot originally held the Essex Bank before Charles Bulfinch built them a new bank on Central Street. The Salem Savings Bank, Salem Bank, and the Naumkeag Trust Bank which became Eastern Bank have used this building. The first building used as a bank on this location suffered a fire. Historically this location had six different buildings. Now all of their foundations are joined together in one large basement with several sealed tunnel entrances and tunnels converted into hallways between foundations. Due to the different levels of the original foundations there is a six foot difference between the basement floor near Essex Street and the alley off of Derby Square in the rear. Also there is a tomb of two runaway slaves in the basement.
For more read Salem Secret Underground: The History of the Tunnels in the City and its sequel Sub Rosa by Chris Dowgin published by Salem House Press. Available at Barnes & Noble, Remember Salem, The Witch House, Jolie Tea, and Amazon.com.