SALEM, INDIANA

'Salem' is a city in Washington County, Indiana, United States. Salem serves as the county seat, and its downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places (as are several local buildings).

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Government

History

Morgan's Raid

Famous residents

Local Attractions

References

External links

Geography

Salem is primarily an agricultural community, surrounded by typical Indiana forests and farmland and small bodies of water. The primary crop grown in the area is corn. Homes in the area are of a variety of styles, with a large portion of residential homes having Victorian architectural design.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 2,555 households, and 1,635 families residing in the city. There are 2,745 housing units at an average density of 272.5/km² (705.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 98.74% White, 0.03% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race are 0.42% of the population.
29.2% of households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% are non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.84.
The population consists of 22.4% under the age of 18, 9.8% from ages 18 to 24, 27.1% from ages 25 to 44, 21.2% from ages 45 to 64, and 19.4% from ages 65 or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $29,256, and the median income for a family is $37,179. Males have a median income of $27,521 versus $21,952 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,299. About 8.5% of families and 11.6% of the population live below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Mayor - Judy Chastain
Clerk-Treasurer - Patricia Persinger
City Council 1st District - Mark W. Hobson
City Council 2st District - Pete D. Brown
City Council 3rd District - Ginger B. Morris
City Council 4th District - Wally Terkhorn
City Council At-Large - Nancy E. Fultz
A primary election for Mayor was held on May 8, 2007. Democratic candidate David Bower defeated current Mayor Judy Chastian. Mr. Bower will run against John Fultz, the Republican primary winner, in the fall.

History

Morgan's Raid

In June 1863, the Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan had departed Tennessee on what would later became known as ""Morgan's Raid."" Traveling through Tennessee and into Kentucky, Morgan eventually crossed into Indiana; he reached Salem on July 10, 1863, coming north from Corydon. Upon entering Salem at approximately 9 a.m., Morgan immediately took possession of the town and placed guards over the stores and streets. The cavalrymen burned the large, brick railroad depot, along with all the train cars on the track and the railroad bridges on each side of the town. Morgan demanded taxes from the two flour mills that belonged to DePaw and Knight, and from the Allen Wollen Mill. Morgan's men looted stores and took about $500 from the area before departing about 3 p.m.
Of the brief action at Salem, Col. Basil W. Duke, a Morgan staff officer, later said:
''"They did not pillage with any sort of method or reason; it seemed to be a mania, senseless and purposeless. One man carried for two days a bird cage containing three canaries. Another rode with a huge chafing dish on the pommel of his saddle. Although the weather was intensely warm, another slung seven pairs of skates around his neck. I saw very few articles of real value taken; they pillaged like boys robbing an orchard."''

Famous residents

John Hay, private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State to Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, was born in Salem and is generally known as Salem's most prominent citizen. A variety of museums and local building make reference to Mr. Hay's connections to the town.
Roy Robertson invented the process for making 2% milk while working at the Salem Creamery, where it was first produced and marketed.

Local Attractions

Located in the center of Salem's town square, the Washington County Courthouse is generally known as Salem's most famous and recognizable landmark. The courthouse has historical placemarkers surrounding it, and at the southeastern corner of the grounds, there is a memorial to veterans killed in action during conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War.

Unusual for a town this size is a large children's playground, "Riley's Place" at DePauw Park. Named after Riley Jean Tomlinson, a local toddler who accidentally drowned in a swimming pool, the park was built in 2002 and contains two- and three- story wooden castles and other structures for children's play (along with swings, slides, and similar playground equipment).
Every September, Salem celebrates "Old Settler's Day" at the John Hay Center. Set in a village of authentic log structures, the festival features historical re-enactments, as well as local arts and crafts.

References

★ Indiana Historical Commission. ''Archaeological and Historical Survey of Washington County'' (August 1924). Wm. B. Burford

External links

★ Salem High School alumni