History of Salem Township Told Through Photographs

Jan. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is Salem Township by three local authors for the Salem Historical Committee. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Before white settlers came to the area that is now Salem Township, Potawatomi Indians hunted and fished in a forest filled with abundant wildlife. The settlers cleared the trees to work the land and built a lumber mill along Little Rabbit River. Salem was primarily a farming community carved out by hardworking pioneers.

Four towns were established to serve this farming community: Diamond Springs to the south, New Salem to the north, and Burnips Corners and Salem Center (now known as Burnips) in the center. In 1855, Salem Township separated from Monterey Township; then, in the 1930s, the discovery of oil brought financial relief to Salem farm families who struggled to maintain their farms. A new wave of residents came to settle in the Salem area as men seeking work in the oil fields brought their families to the community.

The authors hope “this book will keep the past alive, and that it encourages the present Salem Township generations to research their own pasts.”

Highlights of Salem Township:
•   The community worked together in sharing their family photographs to preserve the history of Salem Township.
•   The photographs give a glimpse into how the farming communities lived their lives and shaped Salem Township into what it is today.
•   The book illustrated the progression of a society from horses to cars and lonely cabins to friendly towns.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
(888)-313-2665.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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With more than 6,000 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.