In the 1850s, Salem, Utah was better known as “Pond Town,” named for the body of water at its center. Today, residents still take advantage of Salem Pond, paddleboarding, fishing for bass and enjoying views of Mount Loafer in the distance. “Salem has some of the most beautiful scenery in southern Utah,” says Scott Walters, the owner of Best USA Realty. “It’s also got a strong community. I’ve lived here for 28 years and, though all the development, it’s still the kind of place where everyone knows each other, and they’re very friendly.” In the last 20 years, Salem’s population has grown exponentially; approximately 4,300 people called the city home in 2000. Today, that number hovers around 10,000. Most residents live in brand-new subdivisions where floorplans often surpass 4,000 square feet and steep gabled roofs mirror the distant mountain peaks. However, there are also a handful of smaller brick homes dating back to as early as 1900. Despite Salem’s steady growth, the so-called “City of Peace” still has a small-town feel. With only three stoplights spread out throughout the entire community, traffic is rarely a concern. Residents merge onto Interstate 15, a highway that carries them all the way to Provo’s retail centers and Salt Lake City 60 miles north.
Enjoy a day fishing at Salem Pond, located in the Salem neighborhood.
Enjoy a relaxing walk around Salem Pond, located in the Salem neighborhood.
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Brand new traditional homes with plenty of bedrooms
In Salem, home prices start at $400,000 and can sometimes exceed $1 million depending on square footage. Three-bedroom townhomes built within the last few years can sell for anywhere between $400,000 and $500,000, and HOA fees give residents access to amenities like ground maintenance and trash removal. In other parts of the city, a five-bedroom raised ranch-style with mountain views and a two-car garage can sell for $750,000. “I have six children, and I’ve also got my mother and my aunt living under my roof,” says Walters, adding, “A lot of these homes are purposefully made with multi-generational families in mind.” At the highest end of the spectrum, a newly remodeled eight-bedroom traditional home can exceed $1.6 million. In Salem, lot sizes are generous — usually around 1/3 acre — which gives residents enough room to plant vegetable gardens, harvest fruit from mature trees or chat with neighbors around backyard firepits.
Newly built ramblers and two-story homes are commonplace in the Salem neighborhood.
Newly built two-story homes are found all throughout the Salem neighborhood.
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Extensive elective and CTE opportunities at Salem Hills High School
Salem students are incorporated into the Nebo School District where Salem Elementary, Salem Junior High and Salem Hills High School all received a C-plus or higher from the educational review site Niche. Salem Hills High, which was awarded a B-plus, is known for its extensive course catalog, offering electives in subjects like sci-fi fantasy literature, equine science and sports psychology. The school also offers Career Technical Education opportunities at local tech centers like ALC and MTECH. CTE pathways include everything from interior design to aviation.
Salem Hills High School is located in the Salem neighborhood.
Salem Hills High School is located in the Salem neighborhood.
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“Fry Sauce” and soda stops on Utah State Route 198
Although most of Salem’s residential developments range from a few months to just a few years old, some of the small city’s restaurants have histories dating back 70 years. Stan’s Drive-in, for instance, has been perfecting its “fry sauce” recipe since the mid-1950s. Old-fashioned red gas pumps stand outside Soda Retreat, a roadside stop where locals can order a wide selection of cola and soda flavors. Also along Utah State Route 198, residents will find Burger King, McDonald’s and smaller chains like Gandolfo’s New York Deli and Main Street Pizza. Nearby, check items off the grocery list at Stokes Market and pick up supplies for household projects at the attached Ace Hardware. More options can always be found just 8 miles north in Spanish Fork or in Provo, another 8 miles up Interstate 15.
Stan's Drive-In, located in the Salem neighborhood, is a great place to meet up with friends.
The drive thru at Soda Retreat, located in the Salem neighborhood, offers quick service.
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Salem Days festival, lights on the lake and BYU museums
In August, residents look forward to “Salem Days,” a week-long local festival known for long-standing traditions like the Cardboard Duct Tape Regatta in Salem Pond and a Dutch oven cookoff. Children collect candy thrown from homemade floats at the Grand Parade, and the last night of the festival is capped off with a firework show. During the holiday season, lighted Christmas trees float on Salem Pond and local vendors set up shop inside the Salem Recreation Center for the Pond Town Christmas Boutique in early December. In nearby Provo, residents can attend musicals, plays and dance recitals at Brigham Young University or check out the BYU Art Museum, which houses a large collection of Etruscan art as well as works by famed painters like Norman Rockwell and Rembrandt. Or stop by the University's Museum of Paleontology, also on campus.
Utah Lake is a quick drive from the Salem neighborhood.
Brigham Young University is located in quick driving distance from the Salem neighborhood.
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Recreation on Salem Pond, farm-themed playgrounds and Utah Lake beyond
During the summer months, swimmers, kayakers and fishermen head out to Salem Pond — non-motorized boats are welcome on the water from May until October, whereas other vehicles require permits. On the banks of the pond is Knoll Park, home to a playground, picnic areas and a bridge that extends across the water. Families also enjoy the farm-themed playground at Cole Park, where play structures are built to look like grain silos, tractors and cows. Closer to Downtown Salem, local baseball leagues practice on the Veteran’s Memorial Park fields or at the Loafer View Recreation Complex. Less than half an hour from Salem is Utah Lake, which spans nearly 150 square miles. Sailors compete in the Utah Lake Regatta in June, and Utah Lake State Park has trails for off-roading and horseback riding.
Recently opened Cole Park, located in the Salem neighborhood, offers a playground, a pavilion, and pickleball courts.
Salem Pond is located in the Salem neighborhood.
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UTA public transit and the Provo Airport
Although Salem is largely car-dependent, city residents can take Utah Transit Authority (UTA) buses along Route 198 all the way to Provo Central Station. From here, the FrontRunner commuter train carries residents to Ogden, passing through Salt Lake City on the way. Provo Airport, just about 15 miles from Salem, is serviced by Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways. Together, they offer direct flights to over a dozen U.S. cities. For more options, there’s also the Salt Lake City International Airport about an hour north.
When it comes to healthcare, Salem residents can head to Mountain View Hospital in nearby Payson. The facility offers emergency services, mental health treatment, physical therapy and more.
UTA Provo Central Station serves the Salem neighborhood.
Provo Airport serves the Salem neighborhood.
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Important to know: The Dream Mine
The city of Salem is also known for “The Dream Mine,” an ore-processing mill built at the base of Knob Hill in the mid-1890s. Although John Hyrum Koyle, a former bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, predicted that the facility would produce riches for the church, his prophecies failed to come true — in 1948, Koyle was excommunicated from the church.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
