Community Spotlight: Salem is a thriving city with a fluid present and a proud past
Columbiana County’s city of Salem not only has a well-documented historic past but also a very fluid present and one of the state’s lowest city income tax rates at just 1.25%.
“I’m very proud that we are running the city very efficiently with what is believed to be one of the lowest income tax rates in Ohio for our residents and businesses,” said part-time Mayor John Berlin, who is in year three of his third four-year term in office after two years on City Council prior to his election as mayor in 2011.
Records show the city’s first income tax for general operations came in 1960 at just 0.5%. Eight years later, the tax was increased to 1% until 2015 when voters approved an additional 0.25% hike designated exclusively for street paving, sidewalks, curbs and parking lots. In 2019, voters continued the increase for another five years, beginning in 2021. Using the added funding since 2016, the city has paved almost 40 of the 65 miles within the city.
Berlin also noted that although Salem had 11,915 residents as of the 2020 census, the city has another estimated 9,000 who come to Salem from elsewhere to work in nearly 50 commercial and industrial facilities as well as retail businesses, adding to the city’s tax collections.
Location
The city of 6.43 square miles is the largest incorporated location by area in Columbiana County and is nearly surrounded by Perry Township. Salem is bordered by Alliance on the west, Columbiana on the east and Lisbon, Guilford Lake State Park and Salem City Lake Recreation area on the south. Canton is 30 miles west of Salem and Youngstown is 25 miles northeast. U.S. 62 and several state routes cross into the Salem area.
History
Founded in 1806, Salem was started by New Jersey clock-maker Zadok Street and Pennsylvania potter John Straughan. Street named the city Salem after his New Jersey hometown. Early settlers included the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Salem was active in the abolitionist movement of early and mid-19th century as a hub for the American Underground Railroad to help free slaves.
Now, Salem, incorporated in 1830, is a commercial and industrial hub of northwest Columbiana County and home of Allegheny Weslyan College and the Salem branch of Kent State University.
One of the oldest structures in Salem is the former David Howell Hise home at 1100 Franklin Ave. and one of several historical landmarks in Salem listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1838 on 4 acres, and still housing residents like other Salem homes, the Hise house was part of the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape from their owners.
A brick-maker, builder, abolitionist and diarist, Hise built the home with hiding places known to exist in the third-floor attic, the basement and an underground space on the approach to the barn.
The Hise home currently is a private residence and not open to the public.
Salem’s participation in the anti-slavery movement can be perused at the Salem Historical Society and Museum’s Dale Shaffer Research Library, opened in 2012 at 239 S. Lundy Ave., and the adjacent museum at 208 S. Broadway Ave. Founded in 1947, the society is celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving Salem area residents.
Museum Director David Stratton called disc jockey Alan Freed one of the city’s most notable residents, who went into radio and was credited with coining the phrase “rock ’n’ roll.” Stratton said Freed died at age 43 in 1965. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 1986 and was honored posthumously with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 1991.
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Other Salem historic structures include several homes and businesses, including two Salem funeral homes:
• Arbaugh Pearce Greenisen Funeral Home at 1617 E. State St., Salem’s oldest family-owned mortuary, was built in 1899 and established as a funeral home in 1901. It is now owned by Ray Greenisen.
• Stark Memorial Funeral Home at 1014 E. State St. was built in 1920 and is owned by Dan Madden, who purchased the facility just over three years ago. He said the business began as a casket-maker in 1853 in North Georgetown and was moved to Salem after the current location was completed.
Highlights
• Salem’s 14-event Summer Concert Series began June 3 at the Orashan Memorial Civic Center band shell in Waterworth Park. The entertainment on Sunday, June 12, begins at 6 p.m. and features the Savoy Big Band playing music of the 1920s and 1930s. For the schedule, go to visitsalemohio.com/whats-happening/summer-concert-series.
• Sunday also will mark the end of the four-day Salem Super Cruise festivities where 500-700 vehicles were expected to be on display for 10,000 to 15,000 patrons. Sponsored by the Salem Parks & Recreation Department and the Salem Super Cruise Committee, the Super Cruise featured hot rods, vintage vehicles from the ’50s and ’60s and show cars from all eras, according to show chairman Dennis Plegge.
Fun things to do
• Salem Community Theatre at 490 E. State St. began in November 1922 as The State Theatre and in 1981 was purchased and converted into a venue of live performances and theater arts instruction.
The theater held auditions last week for the musical production “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” which will run Aug. 4 to 7. Manager Karen Losito's cast ranges from second graders to high school seniors.
Tickets are now on sale for its upcoming production of “Rock of Ages: The Revival!” with performances on June 23, 24 and 25. Go to salemcommunitytheatre.org/.
Salem Parks
Please note: As the area recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, many sites are altering their hours of operation. Be aware that the information reported in this list may change. For more details on Salem's parks, go to cityofsalemohio.org/departments/parks/.
• The 26-acre Centennial Park at 1500 E. Pershing St. is Salem’s oldest park, created in 1906. It has century-old ash trees and like the other local parks is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The pool and splash pad open daily from 1 to 7 p.m. The park has two lighted basketball courts, a large playground, three lighted tennis courts, a 9-hole disc golf course and a central water fountain.
• Waterworth Memorial Park at 700 Sunset Blvd. is the city’s largest park (55 acres) and will be the site June 25 for Salem’s Art in the Park Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On July 3, the park will host its Fourth of July celebration beginning at 5 p.m., with fireworks slated for about 9:30 p.m.
The park has five baseball/softball fields, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a concession stand, a 6,000-square-foot Heritage Garden, a mile-long nature trail, an adult fitness zone, a large dog park, a Salem Rotary family sports area, and Orashan Memorial Civic Center with a band shell for summer concerts, movies and much more.
• W.H. Mullins Park’s 2-acre site is at 1195 S. Lincoln Ave. and features a playground for small children.
• The 5-acre Kelley Park at 930 Prospect St. has the only lighted softball field, while the hill behind the outfield fence is ideal for sledding.
• The 70-acre Eagleton’s Glen Recreation center is just 6 miles south of Salem at 35679 Eagleton Road where the Teegarden Covered Bridge is located and where a small community once existed with a mill just north of the bridge.
• Salem Lake Park is 8 miles south of Salem on Gamble Road just off state Route 45 and Teegarden Road. Owned by the Salem Utilities Department, the 220-acre lake offers boating and fishing plus some playground equipment, Fees are collected for boating and fishing but a state fishing license isn’t required. The lake is open Tuesday through Sunday from dawn to dusk and all Monday holidays.
Tasty dining locations
• The Salem area has many places to enjoy delicious food, refreshments and atmosphere with families and friends, including the Timberlanes Complex at 544 E. Pershing St. Brandy and Brooke Pidgeon now operate the complex, which houses The Stables Inn, BoneShakers Restaurant, Quaker Steak and Lube, and a Grand Ballroom for large events and smaller gatherings. To check out each venue, go to timberlanescomplex.com/.
BoneShakers, established in 2016, offers a wide variety of choice steaks and fresh seafood Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday till 1 a.m. and Sunday till 8 p.m. An outdoor patio for dining (in season) also is available.
Along with BoneShakers comes the Grand Ballroom, where class reunions, banquets, weddings, showers and business gatherings are held for up to 350 people. A private dining room seats up to 50 for smaller events.
The Stables Inn is open around the clock for overnight or longer-staying guests and was established in 2017, records show.
Quaker Steak and Lube opened in the complex in 2020. Hours are: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and till 9 p.m. Sunday.
• Known affectionately as purveyors of fine fizz, Kast Iron Soda Works at 430 E. State St. is owned by Wil and Lesley Kline and family. They brought the idea from Indiana after moving back to Salem (Lesley’s hometown) in 2015 because they wanted to have a family business in a former small business location. They have about 500 flavors of soda, floats and an ice cream bar and more. Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Go to kastironsoda.com/.
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• Ezio’s Italian Restaurant at 182 S. Broadway Ave. provides old-fashioned dining experience. The restaurant has provided authentic family recipes and memories since 1973. The dining landmark is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Go to eziositalianrestaurant.com/.
• A dining staple in Salem for over 30 years is B.B. Rooners Restaurant and sports bar at 256 E. State St. The menu ranges from burgers to steaks and everything in between in the dining room and outdoor deck, plus special events throughout the summer. Hours are: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, till 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Go to bbroonerssportsbar.com/.
• LiBs Market, restaurant and coffee shop at 474 E. State St. is a specialty coffee roastery owned by Ben Ratner, whose facility originally was a bank built in 1858. The shop’s main focus is on items local and handcrafted, including jewelry, candles and more. All the pastries are made in-house. Brunch is served Mondays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular hours are weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go to libsmarket.com/.
• Coaches Burger Bar at 635 E. State was established in 2015 and is known for its burgers, wraps, wings and wide variety of sandwiches, pizza and shakes. The eatery is open weekdays at 11 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 9 p.m. Sunday. Go to coachesburgers.com/.
• DeRienzo’s Italian Foods restaurant at 387 S. Broadway Ave. has been in business since 1933, featuring Italian and American dishes, pizza, beer and wine. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Facebook at facebook.com/DeRienzos/.
• Ricky’s English Pub at 151 E. State St. offers most everything from steaks to lighter fare in its updated dining room. Open from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 11:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and till 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to rickysenglishpub.com/.
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• Heggy’s Confectionery, family owned for three generations at 296 E. State St. since 1983, is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch. It boasts a full counter of chocolate candy and nuts, featuring about 40 different light and dark chocolates, along with fresh-daily roasted nuts from light and dark peanuts to cashews and fancy mixed nuts. The store is managed by Trish French and co-owned by brothers Chris, Patrick and Ryan Sell. Go to heggysalliance.com/.
• Breakfast and wrap sandwich lovers will find This Guy’s Place on Depot Road, just south of Salem and state Route 45, to be a good place for quick food provided by owner-chef Lance Dunham from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and till 3 p.m. Saturday. On Facebook at facebook.com/This-GUYS-Place-556154567791460/.
About Salem
Founded: 1806 and incorporated in 1830
Population: 11,915 as of 2020
City website: cityofsalemohio.org
School district: Salem City Schools
District website: salemquakers.k12.oh.us
Mascot: Quakers
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Community Spotlight: Salem, Ohio, is a thriving city built on a proud past as an Underground Railroad stop
