Known as "Summer Spring" by the Indians, and "Pond Town" by
early settlers, Salem, in Utah County, was finally named after the
birthplace of Lyman Curtis to honor his contributions to the
community.
The Indians appreciated the fact that the local springs bubbled
up through sandy soil in a tree-shaded hollow, even in summer. In
the spring of 1851 David Fairbanks and David Crockett discovered
this same precious asset. Fairbanks had been assigned to Peteetneet
Creek (Payson), where he was to become LDS bishop of the town. The
two men continued to explore the area and found a large, clear
stream flowing through a hollow. They realized that by damning the
stream they could conserve the water that flowed out into
swamplands. They soon moved their families and built the first dam,
assisted by others from Payson who needed additional farmland. Some
crops were harvested that year.
Winter and the threat of hostile Indians caused the families to
return to Peteetneet, but "Pond Town" had a beginning with the
dammed springs. In 1852 the two founders built a second and more
secure dam, but by the next year the families had moved to
Peteetneet and the new settlement was abandoned.
Settlers from nearby Palmyra, fighting drought and alkali salts
in the soil, decided to start over at the abandoned Pond Town.
George Wilson and his brothers purchased the Fairbanks-Crockett
interest and they, along with eight other families, moved to the
area in 1856. During that same year, Lyman Curtis, one of the
original company of pioneers to enter Salt Lake Valley, joined in
the new development with four of his sons.
In the next few years two more dams and an irrigation system
were developed. Homes were built adjoining one another for
protection against Indian attacks. The homes were constructed of
adobe brick and lumber from nearby canyons. The fort homes were
used until 1870 when the Indian danger had been reduced. Settlers
began moving into the town, which was laid out in five-acre blocks.
As was common throughout Utah, homes and barns were built inside
the town, with fields and grazing area outside. Boys herded cattle
on "common grounds."
The completion of the Salem Canal in 1869 brought irrigation
water from the Spanish Fork River to Salem. Lyman Curtis, who had
experience with irrigation in Santa Clara, directed the project to
completion. The canal was eight miles long and took two and
one-half years to build. Additional water was brought to the area
by the Strawberry Valley Irrigation Project, completed in 1916.
Popular crops were wheat and other grains, as well as tomatoes
and peas for the Del Monte food-processing plant, located between
Salem and Spanish Fork. Beginning in 1891, sugar beets were grown
extensively for the factories throughout Utah Valley. A "beet
vacation" allowed boys out of school to assist in harvesting. Many
farmers specialized in growing garden produce or in raising
poultry. Local ranchers had grazing rights and permits in the
nearby national forests, in Strawberry Valley, and in privately
owned property in Loafer Canyon.
In the nineteenth century blacksmithing was a much needed
service, and there also were immigrants skilled in masonry,
milling, and cobblery. Sawmills and shingle mills, molasses
producing factories, creameries, and confectioneries have supported
families and provided for community needs.
The LDS Church started a co-op in Salem in the late 1860s; it
operated largely on the barter system until it was discontinued in
1897. Several small stores were operated for short periods of time.
In 1908 the Salem Mercantile Company was started by the James Peter
Christensen family, which operated it until 1969. For many years
the "Merc" used the barter system and issued scrip. In 1946 Melvin
R. Hanks started another grocery business on Main Street. Later
continued by two sons, this family business also thrived. There
were a number of service stations along U.S. Highway 91, and a
motel. Through the years the town also had a drugstore, barber
shop, and a saloon. A few businesses are still clustered along the
highway.
The LDS Provo Stake served Pond Town's religious needs until
Salem Ward was created in 1877. A red brick church was completed in
1898, remodeled in 1938, and replaced in 1972. The one ward was
divided in 1956, and currently there is a local LDS stake with
seven wards.
Education was always important to the settlers, and parents made
arrangements for their children to be taught, first in homes and
then in a log schoolroom. Several small buildings were used for
school, church, and public meetings until the church meetinghouse
was built in 1898; it was followed by a new brick school built in
1907.
The "Dream Mine" of John Hyrum Koyle, as well as the pond,
became synonymous with Salem. Koyle dreamed of a rich ore mine on
the hillside and set out to bring his dream to fruition. Selling
shares in the venture, Koyle was able to have a deep shaft dug, but
ore was never found.
Salem was incorporated as a town in 1886, and fourteen
presidents and boards of trustees served until 1920, at which time
the first mayor began his term in office.
Throughout its history, the citizens of Salem have been
hardworking, neighborly, and flexible, adapting to the changes time
has required of them.