Salem History
Known as "Summer Spring" by the local Ute Native Americans, and "Pond Town" by early settlers, Salem, Utah was finally named after the birthplace of Lyman Curtis to honor his contributions to the community.
The Utes 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 byt the LDS Church to settle Peteetneet Creek (now known as 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. Eventually Pond Town would be renamed Salem in honor of Mr. Curtis, as he was a prominent figure in its early development and Salem, MA was his original birthplace.
Image: Here is a photo of an elderly Lyman Curtis (source: findagrave.com)
In the next few years two more dams and an irrigation system were developed. Homes were built adjoining one another for protection against Native American attacks (especially during the Walker War period). The homes were constructed of adobe brick and lumber from nearby canyons. The fort homes were used until 1870 when the 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.
Image: Here is Mr. Isaac R. Pierce, at his home (c. 1900s). He (like many other Salem farmers) successfully raised lots of melons, as shown here (source: Ted Hanks)
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 (now known as SR-198), 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, and in recent years, Salem has experienced a renaissance of sorts along this road.
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 are two local LDS stakes.
Image: Here is a photo of the original Salem Chapel (source: Ted Hanks)
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. For more info about this interesting venture, see: The Dream Mine Prophecy
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.
Salem Today
Salem these days continues to have a small-town feel about it, though it has steadily grown over the last few decades, but at a pace slower than much of the surrounding Utah and Salt Lake County areas. As of 2017, it had a population a bit larger than 8,000. Many of the locals appreciate the way that the town looks and feels, and besides along SR-198, not much changes in Salem, although there are occasional new developments and businesses that have opened or been built around the area.
Salem Pond continues to be a focal point for the community, all these years later. It is a favorite haunt most times of the year, especially in the summer. 30 years ago, it had become more of a swamp than a pond or lake, but through various local efforts, it was dredged, and is now much deeper and cleaner than it had become. It is a favorite recreation spot, for fishermen and families alike. It is now quite picturesque, and draws people and photographers year round. In the winter, it hosts the free Pond Town Christmas, with christmas displays on and nearby the lake, for those who drive by to enjoy!
Image: Salem Pond as seen during the Pond Town Christmas, which occurs during December (source: Chase Higginson)
Other annual events include the Miss Salem Scholarship Pageant, the fun Summer Concert Series, and of course the traditional Salem Days festivities (my personal favorite) that occur in August each year. These include many fun annual events, like a Duct Tape Regatta, as well as the Dutch Oven Cookoff. The Salem Days are well worth the trip!
Whether you visit in the Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, Salem and its residents are sure to welcome and delight. We hope that you'll enjoy the town while here, and while searching for the geocache, you can have some fun seeing some of the interesting sights Salem has to offer!
Note: this info was adapted from Arlene Wilson's History of Salem, as well as info from salemcity.org, by josephaw.
Also, special thanks to the organization and its members that are maintaining the final cache site!
Geocache Explanation:
The geocache is NOT at the given coordinates.
Note also that this cache is located inside a building, which will be accessible ONLY during operating hours. You can easily visit the other 4 sites, but the final site will NOT be accessible all of the time (FAIR WARNING).
To find the cache, all you have to do is visit each site* (labeled A B C & D), and then replace that letter in the Final Coordinate Puzzle with the number you discovered. After visiting all 4 sites, you'll know where to get the final cache, which should be a fun puzzle, and worth the effort!
Here are the coordinates for the final cache (where you'll actually find it):
N 40° 03.2 _ _ '
A B
W 111° 40.3 _ _ '
C D
Each letter represents a missing coordinate / number (which will range from 0-9). Figure out the answer and you’ll have your missing number (along with a clue to where the final cache is!)
Note: I've also provided alternate questions, which will help you to check your work, as the correct answers are the same to both the alternate and main question. Thus, you should be able to verify your answer this way. While you don't have to answer them, doing so will make finding the cache easier and more likely.
Below are the different sites which are all included as waypoints. Happy hunting, & enjoy your visit to Salem!
Sites and Question List: If you would like a printable copy of this, check this link here.
Site / Waypoint A: Salem Pond Post Office Cabin:
Location: ~109 S 300 W (N 40° 03.185 W 111° 40.749)
Question: Who built this cabin originally?
James Johnston = 0
Acquilla Hopper = 1
George Killiam = 2
Silas Hillman = 3
Alternate Question: (nearby plaque) Marker No. 36 marks the site of what?
David Fairbank's original cabin = 0
The first dam built by Robert Davis = 1
The Pond Town Fort = 2
The Red Brick Chapel = 3
Site / Waypoint B: Knoll Park (local recreation area):
Location: 150 W 300 S (the SE corner of the park is about N 40° 02.999 W 111° 40.546)
Question: What type of fish are protected at Salem Pond, and if caught, must be released (according to the several signs around the park near here)?
Channel Catfish = 3
Bluegill = 2
Striped Bass = 1
Grass Carp = 0
Alternate Question: According to the Park Rules sign, which of the following is not true?
"Climbing or jumping from bridges is prohibited" = 3
"Smoking is prohibited" = 2
"Loud Speakers are prohibited" = 1
"Ice Fishing is allowed" = 0
Site / Waypoint C: Serendipity the Dragon (ecclectic "art" piece, c. 1990):
Location: formerly at roughly 350 N 920 E aka 9370 S Woodland Hills Drive (N 40° 03.599 W 111° 39.282). You can see a picture here.
Question: The sign, attached to "Ol' Serendipity", says (fill-in-the-blank): "Don't _______ the Dragon."
Bother = 4
Touch = 5
Feed = 6
Pester = 7
Alternate Question: What color scheme does Serendipty sport?
Red with black stripes = 4
Brown with black spots = 5
Green with white spots = 6
Green with white stripes = 7
Site / Waypoint D: Ira W. Gardner Home (historic house, c. 1895):
Location: 10 N Main Street (N 40° 03.291 W 111° 40.383)
Note: This is a private home / location; please be respectful! You can asnwer this question from the street without bothering the inhabitants.
Question: What color is the main type of brick used on this house?
Grey = 0
Tan = 9
Red = 8
Brown = 7
Alternate Question: What is prominently displayed in the middle of the sidewalk, heading away from the house to the south (towards the street)?
Bronze Statue = 0
Flagpole = 9
Historic Plaque = 8
Japanese Maple = 7
Clue Phrase Key:
I've also provides the following clues associated with each number: if you've gotten the correct numbers and order, they will make sense when combined:
1 = Pond
2 = Utah
3 = Mormons
4 = Settlers
5 = Town Hall
6 = Section
7 = Pioneer
8 = Chapel
9 = Library
0 = History
Huzzah! You've finished! While there are many other cool locations around, we certainly hope you've had a fun time exploring Salem. Now it's time to grab your reward, the final geocache location!
Reminder: access to the final cache location is dependent on the final location's operating hours. You will NOT be able to access it at other times.
Final Coordinate Puzzle:
Again, here are the coordinates for the final cache (where you'll actually find it):
N 40° 03.2 _ _ '
A B
W 111° 40.3 _ _ '
C D
Want to check your work? You've got several options
1. Alternative Questions: Compare your answers with the answers of the alternative questions. If they all match up, you're likely golden!
2. Sum Check: Once you’ve figured out what numbers the letters represent, add up all 4 numbers, and it should equal = 17 (seventeen)
3. Clue Phrase: After getting the right answers, check them against the Clue Phrase Key. Does the phrase make sense with everything else you've figured out?
4. Geochecker: Check out this link to verify if you are right! Geochecker Link.
Note: after finding the cache, please make sure to return it again safely into its hiding place, inconspicuosly.
Thanks for your help in keeping it safe from muggles!
One Last Note: Some of these sites / buildings are PRIVATELY owned, so please be respectful, and you should get the same in return.