Nearly 120 years before the iconic rainbow jumpsuit and bright red hair of David Bowie, the United States had its own “Starman.”
The Original Star man of Philadelphia
He was one S. Ashton of Market Street, Philadelphia. Located there was a clothing store with a large star for a sign which included the number 16 in the middle. Ashton promoted himself as “star man” and around the year 1850 this “star man” made his way to Salem City.
A New Name for an Old Corner
During this time, Market Street in Salem was known as Bridge Street for it led to the only crossing of the Salem River at the time. Broadway was called Wharf Street. On the western corner where the two met stood Jones store. The corner was known as Jones Corner.
Ashton leased a portion of the old brick section of the store. Soon enough, the building became known as Star Hall. In 1898, Star Hall was torn down to make way for Salem’s City National Bank building which still stands today. That same year, a brass star was embedded in the sidewalk on the corner to recognize and carry on the old corner’s name.
The star embedded in concrete surrounded by brick on Star Corner in Salem City
Stepping on History: The Return to Salem City
The star not only serves as a symbol of the history of Salem City but, also, is a part of local folklore. Visitors of old and new are told that if they step on the star, they will one day return to Salem.
Sometime during 1996, the brass star was removed in order to polish and have it re-installed.
Preserving the Past: The 1996 Restoration
On the morning of Thursday, August 22, 1996, a small crowd of people gathered to see the treasured piece of history returned to the sidewalk. First, a 45 pound time capsule full of business cards, t-shirts, pins, and pictures all wrapped in acid-free paper to best preserve them was placed in the ground and concrete poured atop.
Finally, the polished brass star was placed in the fresh concrete and left to set just in time for the year’s Market Street Day, which followed that Saturday, August 24, 1996.
A Lasting Legacy on Market Street
Ernie Davis donated the concrete and my late grandfather, George Ahl, poured it then laid the star in its current resting place on Star Corner. Pictured is my grandfather embedding the star in concrete from the front page of Today’s Sunbeam on Friday August 23, 1996 (177th Year, No. 297).
George Ahl placing the brass Salem star into the sidewalk on Thursday August 22, 1996. Credits: Today’s Sunbeam staff photo by Stephen Harrison
We hope the next time you find yourself crossing Market Street that you look down and take the time to remember those who came before you and have “set into stone” (or concrete) their mark on this land.
