On this site stood the Simpson Tavern, where in 1850 James Pierpont (1822–1893) wrote the song “Jingle Bells” in the presence of Mrs. Otis Waterman, who later verified that the song was written here. Pierpont copyrighted the song in 1857 while living in Georgia. “Jingle Bells” tells of the sleigh races held on Salem Street in the early 1800’s.
