Old Salem County Courthouse, County courthouse in Salem, New Jersey
The Old Salem County Courthouse is a county judicial building in Salem constructed from locally made brick with multiple connected sections still serving as an active courthouse today. Inside, the Clerk's Office handles services including passport applications, notary work, and election records management.
The building was constructed in 1735 and remains the second oldest continuously operating courthouse in the United States. During the Revolutionary War, it hosted treason trials against Loyalists in 1778, establishing its role in the nation's political history.
The courthouse steps and surrounding plaza have long served as a gathering place for Salem's important public moments and announcements. Residents and visitors view this location as the symbolic heart where the community comes together.
Visitors can view the building's exterior and historic brick architecture along Fifth Street in downtown Salem. The site is walkable and easily found in the town center without needing special directions.
A pivotal moment in local food culture occurred on these courthouse steps when someone publicly ate a tomato, dispelling the community's long-held fears about the fruit's safety. This unusual event demonstrates how a small town moment contributed to broader changes in American eating habits.
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