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Salem is an independent city in Virginia, USA, bordered by the city of Roanoke to the east but otherwise adjacent to Roanoke County. The population was 24,747 at the 2000 census. While Salem is politically separate from Roanoke County, the Roanoke County courthouse is located there ; historically, Salem was the county seat of Roanoke County, however the executive government offices for the County are now located in an unincorporated section of the County. Salem and Roanoke County still share jail facilities and participate in a regional water authority, but are otherwise politically separate. Residents of Salem do not pay taxes to Roanoke County. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Salem with Roanoke County for statistical purposes. Roanoke College is located in the city. The NCAA Division III football championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, is played here annually. Salem is also the home to a minor league baseball team, the Salem Avalanche. History
Europeans first explored the area of Salem in the 1670s. Fort Lewis, named for General Andrew Lewis of what is now Roanoke County, Virginia was constructed to the west of the town in 1752. The town grew up as a small settlement serving travelers on the Great Road (the path of which was largely followed by US-11 and later Interstate 81) and was officially founded in 1802, though it received its charter in 1806. It is not known with certainty why the town was named Salem; however, the most widely accepted explanation is that Salem was named to honor William Bryan, a prominent citizen, who had moved from Salem, New Jersey. Salem was attacked twice during the American Civil War, but its Salem Flying Artillery was said to have fired the last Confederate shot at Appomattox Court House prior to the surrender of Robert E. Lee. Salem annexed South Salem in 1953 and an eastern tract in 1960, giving it a population of 16,058 and thus making it Virginia's largest town at that time. Salem officially became a city on December 31, 1967. Salem became a city to avoid the possibility of annexation into the city of Roanoke. Salem has traditionally been more reluctant than the city and county of Roanoke to participate in regional efforts, though it is a participant in the Roanoke Valley sewer authority and library system among others. Since Salem's separation was relatively amicable, the city has maintained close ties to Roanoke County. In education, Salem has been the home of two colleges. In 1847, the Virginia Institute, a boy's preparatory school, moved to Salem from Staunton. The institute received a college charter in 1853 and was renamed Roanoke College in honor of the Roanoke Valley. The college is located in central Salem one block north of Main Street. Roanoke Women's College, later named Elizabeth College, operated between 1912 and 1922; the college burned in late 1921 and did not reopen. Both colleges are/were Lutheran affiliated; the former Elizabeth College campus is now the site of residence halls and athletic fields belonging to Roanoke College. At present, Salem has a certain amount of regard in the athletic community. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III Football Championship game is held at Salem Football Stadium. Salem's success in holding that event led the NCAA to also move the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship and the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship to the Salem Civic Center and the Women's NCAA Division III Softball Championship to Moyer Field. The city hosts several other statewide, regional, and national sporting events at its faciltieis. These events are attracted by the city's hospitality, modern facilities and overall support. Salem High School, is also known for its athletic programs, particularly the football team which has won six state championsips since 1996. Research Tips
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