Salem
Salem is the oldest existing incorporated village in the State of New York. Settled in 1764 by immigrants from Scotland and former residents of Pelham, Massachusetts, the town lies along White Creek.
In September of 1777, when the townspeople had evacuated the village at the orders of General Schuler, Tories and Indians burned Fort Salem to the ground. At the time, the Salem Militia under the leadership of Colonel John Williams was fighting at the Battle of Bennington. The Militia would further distinguish itself in a blocking action against British General Burgoyne's army at the Battle of Saratoga and in actions against scattered British forces by the local Rangers led by Joshua Conkey and John Barnes.
Salem's economy bustled with activity during the railroad era. On March 3, 1852 the first train of the Washington and Rutland Railroad steamed into town with Abram Gould, Chief Engineer and brother of Jay Gould, at the controls.
Over the next 100 years numerous businesses employing fifty or more workers sprang up in the little village. The Bartlett All-Steel Scythe Company, the Manhattan Shirt Mill, a lumber mill, a gristmill, a marble mill, a paper company, a carriage assembly company and the Stevens Potato Company located here and shipped their products by rail.
Town of Salem
214 Main St.
PO Box 575
Salem 12865
Tel. 854-3277,
854-3941 (FAX),
Town of Salem Historian
William Cormier
Box 458,
Salem 12865
Village of Salem
181 Main St.
PO Box 297
Salem 12865
Tel. 854-3433,
For more information on dining or lodging, please contact:
Washington County Tourism Association
383 Broadway
Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: 888-203-8622
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 717
Salem, NY 12865
518-854-9296
Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley
518-677-5741 ext. 721
tvobv@nycap.rr.com
Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce
5 Warren Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Phone: 518-798-1761
Fax: 518-792-4147
frontdesk@AdirondackChamber.org
Points of Interest
Historic
- Eagleville Covered Bridge
- Historic Salem Courthouse
- Old Burying Ground
- Rexleigh Covered Bridge
- Shushan Covered Bridge Museum
Cultural
Recreation
