Salem (population 6,423), Utah, was called "Summer Spring" by the Indians, but the early settlers called the settlement "Pond Town" because natural springs in the area bubbled up through the sandy soil forming a series of shallow ponds. A dam was constructed to enlarge the ponds into a beautiful lake and the town's name was eventually changed to Salem, after New Salem, Massachusetts.
The early pioneers were mostly small farmers and then in 1916 the Strawberry Valley Irrigation Project was completed and the area residents started producing large quantities of wheat, tomatoes, and peas for the Del Monte food-processing plant. Sugar beets were also grown extensively throughout the Valley.
Salem's first Post Office was located in the historic district of town, but has now been relocated to the west bank of "The Pond" at the site of the original Pond Town Fort. There are also several other markers on the same site.
A plaque indicates that the Pond Town Fort was 150 feet by 160 feet and built to protect the pioneers from Indian attacks. There were no indications that the fort was ever attacked by Indians.
The original 1885 Salem School Bell has been preserved and is mounted on a nice pedestal next to the old post office building.
Another marker contains part of the first tree planted within the fort and has been preserved and mounted on a concrete slab.
Located on a hillside outside of Salem is John Koyle's "Dream Mine," which has an interesting history.
In 1886 John Koyle, a local resident, had various dreams that were very controversial and he prophesied that gold was located on a nearby hill and a mine placed there would produce great wealth. He convinced a number of people to invest in his dream mine and started a mining operation. Eventually most of the shareholders dropped out of the mining operation because it was too expensive and not producing a return on their investment, but Koyle continued working the mine until his death in 1949. Some of his dedicated followers continued working the mine into the 1960s.
The mine has never produced any valuable metals and an independent geological survey produced no trace of metallic minerals in the mine or in the surrounding area. However, Koyle's followers continue to maintain the mine because they believe the mine will eventually produce gold and Koyle's other prophecies will be fulfilled. The mine is located on private land and is not open to the public.
Although the Sri Sri Radha Kishna Temple has a Spanish Fork address, the Temple actually sits on top of a hill in Salem. The Temple is open to the public and overnight stays are offered in the "Ashram for Jnana Yoga (Learning) and Karma Yoga (Service)."
Since we were visiting in the area, one afternoon we stopped by the Temple for a tour. When we entered the Temple we were given a program and invited to stay for the evening program:
5:00 pm, Kirtan
"Kirtan literally means 'to share, to celebrate, to glorify.' The music of kirtan is both heartfelt & spirited..."
5:30 pm, Power Point by Caru Das
"Caru Das delivers talks & power points on such contemporary concerns as Overcoming Loneliness, Dealing with Depression, How to Have Loving Relationships, Braking Bad Habits, and even Getting Out of Debt!"
6:00 pm Aarti Ceremony
"The 5 elements from God's creation - earth, air, fire, water, & ether - are offered back to him in the form of flower, water, flame, peacock fan, and blowing of the conch shell..."
6:15 pm Announcements
6:20 pm Closing Song
6:30 pm, Feast of Vegetarian Prasadam
"...He does not include flesh items and thus devotees offer only vegetarian preparations to the Lord..."
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| View of ceiling |
Spanish Fork (population 39,961) is adjacent to Salem and was the first Icelandic settlement in the United States. The City still hosts an annual celebration on June 17th, Icelandic Independence Day.
The Spanish Fork City Offices are located in the refurbished historic Thurber School that was constructed in 1910.
Located directly across the street from the City Offices is a City park that contains a Commemorative Garden and a number of monuments, including a golden sphere Commemorative Garden Marker.
The Dominguez y Escalante Expedition monument is similar to the monument placed in Payson and recognizes the expeditions arrival into the Spanish Fork area on September 23, 1776. There is also a large sculpture that depicts the Domingnez y Escalante Expedition entering the Salt Lake Valley, except at that time there were no power lines in the background.
BONUS PICTURE (Cake Pops from Sophia's Kitchen)
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