Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Refugees and their belongings on the street

Refugees on Salem Common the morning after the fire
Nearly half of the residents of Salem lost their homes in the fire, and they saved what they could before their homes burned. They gathered with their possessions in public areas like the Salem Common.

Refugees and their belongings on the Common
Salem residents saved what they could from their homes before they were destroyed and gathered in public outdoor spaces. Many took wooden chairs and metal bedframes.

Report on Audit of Salem Fire Relief Committee
The Salem Fire Relief Committee was a civilian organization which worked in tandem with the militia to provide aid and relief to the citizens of Salem who had been affected by the fire. Funds were largely raised via donations and the contributions of the Commonwealth. Aid took such form as food and supplies, the running of refugee camps, business rehabilitation, and financial assistance.

Milk rations being handed out to refugees
Stations were set up to supply milk to refugees, particularly mothers and babies.

Families in a refugee camp

Children in a refugee camp
A group of children pose for the camera at one of the refugee camps.

State Board of Health map showing burned district
This map shows the burned areas of Salem and the locations of the refugee camps.

Refugee camp at Forest River Park
Forest River Park, the largest and most permanent refugee camp, also served as military headquarters.

Mess tent at refugee camp
The mess tent was a dining facility for those living in the refugee camp.

Camp mess tent
The mess tent was a dining facility for those living in the refugee camp. Note the Sunshine Biscuits crate on the left, as the Sunshine Bakery was the first business to have a new chimney constructed on July 4.

Forest River Park camp
The refugee camps were kept clean and sanitary in order to avoid the spread of communicable disease among residents living in close proximity.

Report on health conditions in the City of Salem
The State Board of Health reported to the governor about the sanitary conditions in Salem, especially the on prevalence of communicable diseases both before and after the fire. The Board also reported on the water supply, the milk supply, typhoid fever vaccinations, and a few other illnesses. Additionally, a separate camp was set up at Salem Willows to house tuberculosis patients.

Tents at Forest River Park camp
Latrines were constructed at the camp to help maintain sanitary conditions there.

Camp latrines covered by tents
Latrines were constructed at the camp to help maintain sanitary conditions there.

Camp latrines being connected to city sewage
The camp latrines were connected to the city sewers.

Map of communicable diseases in Salem and neighboring towns
This map shows the prevalence of typhoid fever, scarlet fever, diphtheria, sore throat, whooping cough, and measles in Salem and adjacent cities and towns both 24 days before the fire and 24 days after the fire. Within each colored circle representing an illness, the numbers in black show the number of cases before the fire and the numbers in red show the number of cases after the fire.

Report on water supply
The State Board of Health maintained sanitary conditions in Salem after the fire, including ensuring the safety of the water supply. The Board did periodic water testing to verify bacteria levels.