Salem celebrates proud, progressive 200 years

Columbiana County's second largest city marks a major milestone this year -- the bicentennial of its founding. As it does, Salem residents and countless others who value the town's charm and its rich, diverse and progressive history should support a wealth of 200th anniversary events.
Salem was founded by Zadok Street and John Straughan on April 30, 1806, and was named after Street's hometown, Salem, N.J. The significance of the name, which means city of peace, should not be understated. Indeed many of Salem's early settlers belonged to The Society of Friends or Quaker movement. The society is counted among the historic peace churches in the world, and it was recognized as such with a Nobel Peace Prize in 1947.
History of progressive thinking
The ideals of peace, fairness and progressive thinking guided the city through much of its history. In the mid-19th century, Salem served as the Western Headquarters for the Anti-Slavery Association, which published the Anti-Slavery Bugle and maintained stops within Salem on the Underground Railroad, the secretive network of refuge points that offered food and shelter to fugitive slaves on their way to freedom in Canada.
Salem can also take pride in its early and prominent role in the quest for equal rights for women. In 1850, Salem hosted Ohio's first women's rights convention, which was only the second such convention in the United States.
Such forward-thinking has also exemplified Salem in other avenues. For example, the town was only the second in the entire United States to install an electric trolley with overhead wires.
In the 20th century, Salem was the boyhood home of Alan Freed, who is credited with coining the term "rock 'n' roll" and expanding its impact and audience throughout America and the world in the 1950s.
Kudos to historical society, chamber
Fortunately for the town's residents, the Salem Historical Society has preserved much of the town's lustrous past. The society maintains a museum, which displays hundreds of Salem-specific historical artifacts, including a fully restored 1923 Ford "doctor's coupe."
The society, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the bicentennial committee and others are playing pivotal roles in the 200th birthday bash, which informally began earlier this year and continues with a concert in Waterworth Memorial Park at 6 p.m. Sunday. Official events begin June 30, with a Red, White and Blue Grande Ball at the Elks Lodge No. 305, and will continue through July 22. Access www.salemohiochamber.org/bicentennia.html for a complete listing of events and activities.
As a bonus, the Ohio Humanities Council will bring Ohio Chautauqua to Salem July 18-22. The traveling living-history program features scholars who dress up as and assume the characters of such historical heavyweights as Theodore Roosevelt, Clara Barton and Ernie Pyle.
Past, present, future
Organizers of the events are to be commended. We hope their detailed planning pays off with high turnouts, enlightened mindsets and good old-fashioned summer fun. Their work helps to ensure that present-day Salem residents recognize and appreciate the city's unique development.
As the bicentennial plays out, the chamber of commerce, working with Ohio State University, is also striving to ensure a strong future for the town. Input is being gathered from residents on their visions of the city's development that will be designed to guide the town's future course.
That focus on the future is a sign that Salem is committed to maintaining its high quality of life well into the 21st century. But for now, the major focus for Salem residents rests squarely on celebrating the city's proud, prosperous and progressive past.
Happy 200th birthday, Salem!