What is the history of Salem, Ohio?
Salem was founded by a Pennsylvanian potter, John Straughan (Strawn) and a New Jersey clockmaker, Zadok Street, in 1806. Settled primarily by the Religious Society of Friends (a.k.a. “Quakers”), the city of Salem was active in the early abolitionist movement of the early- to mid- 1800’s. Still standing are many of the beautiful homes serving as “stations” on the American Underground Railroad with their hidden rooms and secret passageways. Salem was also the site of the very first Women’s Rights Convention held in the state of Ohio, the second such convention in the United States. Salem’s overall active involvement in equal rights issues is a tribute to its rich Quaker heritage. In addition, Salem is the childhood home of American watercolorist Charles Burchfield and onetime residence of legendary radio disc jockey Alan Freed. Source: http://en.wikipedia.
