Salem, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salem, Indiana
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Washington County Courthouse, in the town square
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Location of Salem in Washington County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Washington |
| Township | Washington |
| Town founded | 1814 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.02 sq mi (10.40 km2) |
| • Land | 4.00 sq mi (10.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.50% |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,371 |
| • Density | 1,592.75/sq mi (615.02/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
47167
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| Area code(s) | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-67464 |
| GNIS feature ID | 442876 |
| Website | http://cityofsalemin.com/ |
Salem is a city in Indiana, United States. It is the main town of Washington County. In 2010, about 6,319 people lived there.
Contents
History of Salem
Salem was founded in 1814. It was named after Salem, North Carolina. One of the city's founders came from there. The Salem post office opened in 1816.
Morgan's Raid in Salem
In June 1863, during the American Civil War, Confederate soldiers led by John Hunt Morgan began a long raid. They traveled through Tennessee and Kentucky. On July 10, 1863, Morgan's men reached Salem, Indiana.
They arrived around 9 a.m. and quickly took over the town. The soldiers burned the large train station. They also destroyed train cars and railroad bridges. Morgan demanded money from local mills. His men took about $500 from the area. They left Salem around 3 p.m.
Colonel Basil W. Duke, who was Morgan's second-in-command, later described the looting. He said the soldiers took many strange items. One man carried three canaries in a cage for two days. Another rode with a large chafing dish. Duke noted that few valuable items were taken. He compared their actions to "boys robbing an orchard."
African Americans in Salem's Past
In 1898, Salem was known as a "sundown town." This meant that African Americans were not allowed to live there. The last Black person known to live in Salem was Alexander White. He ran a hotel in Salem. White was killed in Salem in 1867.
Geography and Climate
Salem is mostly a farming community. It is surrounded by typical Indiana forests and farms. The main crops grown here are corn and soybeans. Homes in Salem come in many styles. Some houses have a Victorian design.
In 2010, Salem covered about 4.02 square miles. Most of this area was land. Only a small part was water.
Salem's Weather
The weather in Salem has hot, humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. Salem has a humid subtropical climate. This means it gets plenty of rain and has warm temperatures for much of the year.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,223 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,372 | 12.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,294 | −5.7% | |
| 1880 | 1,615 | 24.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,974 | 22.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,995 | 1.1% | |
| 1910 | 2,283 | 14.4% | |
| 1920 | 2,836 | 24.2% | |
| 1930 | 3,194 | 12.6% | |
| 1940 | 3,194 | 0.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,271 | 2.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,546 | 39.0% | |
| 1970 | 5,041 | 10.9% | |
| 1980 | 5,290 | 4.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,619 | 6.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,172 | 9.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,319 | 2.4% | |
| 2020 | 6,371 | 0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 6,319 people living in Salem. There were 2,622 households. About 32.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.31 people.
The average age in Salem was 38.3 years. About 24% of residents were under 18. About 17.6% were 65 or older.
Arts and Culture
Yearly Events in Salem
Every September, Salem celebrates "Old Settler's Day." This festival takes place at the John Hay Center. It features old log buildings. The event includes historical re-enactments. You can also find local arts and crafts.
Friday Night on the Square starts the Old Settler's Day weekend. The town square is closed to cars. People gather to enjoy food booths and other fun activities.
Local Museums and Landmarks
The downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several other local buildings are also on this list.
The Carnegie Library in Salem was built with money from Andrew Carnegie. It opened in July 1905. This library is still used today for its original purpose. It is one of only 100 such libraries in Indiana.
The Washington County Courthouse is in the center of Salem's town square. It is a famous landmark. Around the courthouse, there are markers about history. There is also a memorial for veterans. This memorial honors those who died in wars, going back to the American Revolutionary War.
The birthplace of John Hay is a National Historic Site. It has been a historic site since 1971. The building was built in 1824 as a schoolhouse. It has been restored to look like it did in the 1840s.
Public Art in Salem
In 2021, a large mural called "Salem Heritage" was created by Rafael Blanco (artist). This mural is 17 feet tall and 80 feet long. It shows portraits of six important women from Salem.
- Granny Lusk was a local woman who practiced medicine without formal training.
- Lula Desse Rudder was the first woman in Indiana to become a licensed pharmacist.
- Bradie Shrum was an elementary school teacher in Salem. The local elementary school is named after her.
- Sarah Parke Morrison was the first woman student at Indiana University. She was also the first woman to graduate and later teach there.
- Terry Hall coached women's basketball. She is known as the "winningest coach" at the University of Kentucky.
- Emma Christy-Baker was one of the first women hired by the Indianapolis Police Department. She was also the first African American person to join the force.
Sports in Salem
Salem is home to Salem Speedway. This is a half-mile oval track built in 1947. Many famous race car drivers have competed here. These include A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Jeff Gordon. A. J. Foyt once held a world record for a half-mile oval at this speedway.
Parks and Fun Places
Salem has a large children's playground called "Riley's Place." It is located at DePauw Park. The park was built in 2001. It has wooden castles and other structures for kids to play on. There are also swings, slides, and other playground equipment. The park is named after Riley Jean Tomlinson, a local child.
Transportation
The Southern Indiana Transit System provides bus service in Salem. They offer both regular routes and on-demand rides.
Notable People from Salem
- Newton Booth: He was born in Salem. He later became the Governor of California and a U.S. Senator.
- Arthur A. Denny: One of the people who founded Seattle, Washington. He was born in Salem in 1822.
- Washington C. DePauw: A successful businessman. DePauw University is named after him.
- John Hay: He was a private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln. He also served as Secretary of State for Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
- Robert H. Milroy: A general in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was born in Salem.
1988 Bomb Scare
On July 5, 1988, 13 homemade devices were found in Salem. They were placed near bridges and buildings. These devices contained dynamite. Luckily, none of them exploded. If they had, they could have cut off the town from outside help.
