A Brief Look at the French-Canadian population in Salem’s History

Throughout its history, Salem has been home to a myriad number of immigrant groups from across the globe, during various time frames.  One of the most influential in Salem’s development, formerly based in South Salem, was the French-Canadian population.

During the post-maritime period of Salem, the city thrived as one of industry; though certainly not of the same level of fame as Lowell or even Lynn, Salem had a number of textile mills, leather and shoe factories.  During the mid to late 19^th century, French-Canadian immigrants came to the city to work in these places, pouring in large numbers.

Compared to other residents of Salem, or even other immigrants, the numbers of people were impressively large as a population.  Some census data indicates over 900,000 people poured out of the city of Quebec to find work in New England’s mills and factories as unskilled (and underpaid) workers.  In Salem alone, these immigrants and their children at one point made up over a fifth of the city’s population – easily, the largest number compared to the cities around, leading to a nickname of Salem during the period as ‘Petit Canada’.

The city still reflects the influence of this population.  A large section of housing on Lafayette Street (which is called, creatively enough, the Lafayette Street District) falls under Historic Housing laws; this reflects that the neighborhood itself has such a distinct style, one that is rare to find elsewhere, that the city and its people wish to preserve its feel and look.  Anyone in the community who wishes to build there must follow strict guidelines, and any homes that need updating must aesthetically mesh with the area on the outside.

Although not as prevalent today as it once was, many of the streets, businesses and community establishments along Lafayette Street had French influence, if not French names themselves.  As time went on, names changed – but as a population, they left a mark on the architecture and people of Salem that has lasted into modern times.