Salem’s 203rd Birthday

It certainly won't be marked with trumpets blaring and the summer-long party that we had for number 200. And yes, it really has been three years already since all those grand bicentennial festivities.

But today surely warrants a mention. On April 30, 1806, our city was founded. According to the Salem Historical Society, which does a wonderful job in preserving our city's heritage, it was John Straughan and Zadok Street who felt compelled to establish what was to become Salem.

The two had adjoining property and they provided land from their respective farms to create "Original Salem" - named for Street's former town of Salem, New Jersey.

The plat of "Original Salem," as recorded at the Columbiana County Recorder's Office, is bounded by the alley between Third and Second Streets to the north, the alley between Pershing and Wilson streets to the south and west of Ellsworth Avenue to 180 feet west of Howard Avenue. Thus the genesis of our fine city.

With time comes changes. Right now our city is going through some turbulence primarily caused by the sustained weakened economy. We are at the 1,000 lost jobs in heavy industry alone during the past five, six years. Remember when the mills thrived in this town -whether it was Mullins, Eljer, Deming, Bliss or any of the many tool an die shops??The reality is they aren't coming back. Our schools, a likely connection to the lost jobs, have seen shrinking enrollment figures. That's not going to get any better.

However, despite the bad and scary times our city continues to be as good a place as you would want to live and raise a family. It's because of you - its people - and all who came before. It's because of the small town values and decencies that so many Salemites carry and impart. We have a lot of friendly, caring, nice people. Our city has produced those who have stood out in all realms whether academia, the business, sporting and entertainment worlds, medicine or you name it. Many have chosen to either stay or remain here. There's a reason for that. Our city will continue to produce those who stand out in a variety of walks of life. That is what Salem is about.

It's not a coincidence that so many of us generation after generation have called Salem home. It's because we love our town. We loved growing up here and we love living here. So let's grab some handfuls of candles and wish our fair city a very happy 203rd birthday!