New Salem Community

New Salem is located 10 miles southwest of Laneville at the south end of Lake Striker close to the Cherokee County line. It was established before the Civil War by farmers and was orginally called Salem. The main settler was Colonel John Pruitt. A postoffice was set up in 1849 but discontinued in 1855. The town was incorporated in 1856 and had a population of about 100. The population doubled from 1920s to 1960s then fell to about 30 people. New Salem is important historically because of the large area around it that produced crops and livestock.

New Salem Historical Society
Yes, New Salem has its own Historical Society! I am very honored to have been allowed to become one of this first members of this infant organization. We have Judy Rivers, Cindy Bobbitt, myself and our wonderful young (unofficial) leader Judson Watkins. Judson and Cindy are undertaking the task of preserving and copying the records of the Mason Lodge #87 of New Salem. While they are working on that project, we are also cleaning and recording the Cool Springs Cemetery. We have had six persons at each of our last two meetings at the cemetery. We are inviting anyone who is interested in preserving the history of this important community to join us.
Please join in!

New Salem Invincibles
The Invincibles are a group of young men who are descended from the original Confederate Veterans of New Salem. They are inviting other descendants to join them in their effort to record the history of New Salem for future generations and to honor those men who answered the call to war.

Cemeteries located nearby
Fairview Cemetery
New Salem Cemetery