The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-29
THE HISTORY OF SALEM.
An Old Town Fast Growing In
to a New and Thriving City.

Salem was founded in 1872. 1t is n
beautiful place situated in the pleasant
valley of the Roanoke, and all around
n Gordon of sentinel mountains, hand in
hand, stand guard. Until about year
ago Salem was q sleeping beauty, but
her enchanted slumbers were awakened
by the Prince of Progress as he went
from place to place in Southwest Vir-
ginia, discovering and developing her
WondrouS resources.
The aroused princess has dressed her
self in robes of industry. In the valley
near the river, the great tall stack
of an iron furnace stands pointing
skyward, and further up is the long
brick building of the WOODEN mills. A
beautiful dvcs- tory hotel fronts on Col
lege avenue, and handsome new bank
building blocks distance nearer the
city All along this wide and pretty
avenue are large and handsome new
stores, built of pressed brick and fur
nished with all tho modern improve
ments. On the outsl1irtS of the town to
the west there are large new dwelling
houses to be seen which appear to be
drawn up as If for a game of ball.
The city itself is all bustling with
activity and real estate men. and to
these is due great share of Salem's
prosperity. Main street is the scene
OF the principal activity, and on it is
that excellent hostclry Hotel Luccrnc,
many of the stores, most of the real
estate Offices, and not tho least, the aged
bat picturesque courthouse, with tic
grove III front of it, and the bell rope
dangling from tho top Ct the pilllrcd
porch. Many handsome dwelling houses
are to be seen surrounding the bust
ness portion of the city. Across Main
street about thrce-quarters of mile
west of the city stream Of water
flows 10 the river. This stream is fed
by thu mountain SHOWS and goes nearly
dry in summer.
In the central parts of the city are
located the churches of the Baptist,
Methodist, Lutheran, Presby terian and
Episcopal denominations.
Then Salem is a college town who,
wouldn't like to live in 4 college town?
1t gives place such an air of culture
and profundity. There is unfathomed
reverence and respect for The Doctor
as the learned president is affection
ately designated, and student and
citizen alike look up to him as he passes
by and proudly think I'D give hc.p
to know all the doctor has in his head.
B sides there is in college town n
vague unrest and fear of something
that is going to happen, which although
dreaded somewhat is wlthal wished for
with degree of hopeful expectancy.
"What will those boys do ncxt?" This
is the agitatng question. The very old
elms on the campus seem to Shake their
heads dubriously and warningly and the
winter blasts that whistle through their
bare branches say "Look out"
Yes, Salem is n rushing, humming
business town with just IL flavor of cul-
ture and antiquity. Only few strides
from "L'Allegro" of bustling activ-
ity to III Penseroso" of quietude and
pensivoneSs
Salem's women are lovely, and stand
pre-cmincnt over all else. Women arc
always first, from first toast of ban
quet to the first thing up in the morn
ing. Salem girls have the sweetest of
faces and the daintiest Of little feet.
Their feet are smaller in their over
shoes than the Chicago girls in their
leather ordinary shoes.
The weekly Times Register is the
able champion of the citys interests.