Photos by Kevin Brophy and Thomas McDonald

The witch hunts may be a dark stain on the history of this Massachusetts town, but Salem has grown to embrace its witchly history throughout the years. So, it's no surprise that the city approved TV Land's proposal of the idyllic Lappin Park as the site for a 9-foot tall bronze statue of Samantha on her broom from the Bewitched TV show's opening credits. Salem's Lappin Park, at the corner of Essex and Washington streets, is near the Salem Witch Museum. The statue was unveiled on June 15, 2005 to celebrate the Bewitched feature film release, as well as the 40th anniversary of the show. The tribute is sure to garner years of great photo opportunities for Bewitched fans, who fondly recall Salem as the backdrop of the first eight episodes of season 7.

This statue is the fifth bronze statue TV Land officials have erected in tribute to TV's pop cultural icons. Others include Ralph Kramden in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, Mary Tyler Moore at Nicollett Mall in Minneapolis, Andy Griffith and Opie in a park in Raleigh, N.C., and Bob Newhart at the entrance of Navy Pier in Chicago.