Salem, a quaint farming village nestled between Spanish Fork and Payson along State Highway 198, was originally named “Summer Spring” by Native Americans and “Pond Town” by early settlers due to its notable spring and pond features. The town was eventually renamed Salem to honor Lyman Curtis or possibly for its biblical association with Jerusalem. 

This area, rich in natural resources, was first identified by Native Americans for its unique year-round spring. In 1851, explorers David Fairbanks and David Crockett discovered the same spring and recognized the potential of the flowing stream for agriculture. They, along with their families and others from Payson, moved to the area, constructing a dam to harness the water for farming. The community developed with homes and farms, adopting common agricultural practices of the time, cultivating wheat, grains, tomatoes, peas, and sugar beets.

Today, Salem celebrates its heritage and community spirit with the annual Salem Days every second Saturday in August, reflecting on its journey from a vital watering hole to a beloved “City of Peace.”