About Us

The following is an excerpt from History of Washington County Indiana, 1916–1976, compiled under the auspices of the Washington County Historical Society. It is used with permission.

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"In April, 1919, a group of concerned citizens of Salem met in the office of Oliver Marks to form a Chamber of Commerce. Walter Crim acted as chairman with W. H. Rudder, secretary. A constitution had been prepared by a committee. It was read and adopted. It outlined the main concerns which were: obtaining more electric power, a sewage system, and better water supply.
This seemed to be a strictly local organization and was not called a Chamber of Commerce for very long, but acted as a Town Board.

"Lee Persise was the first President, Otto Zink, 1st Vice, John Lewis, 2nd Vice, W. H Rudder, Recording Secretary, and W. W. Speaks, Treasurer. Dues were $1.00 per year. The five Directors were: Dr. J. I. Mitchell, Walter Mead, W. C. Shanks, Walter Crim, and Charles McClintock.

"The first matter on the agenda was to get Public Service to build a new line from Henryville to Salem to make electricity available on a 24 hour basis. Besides being turned on only in the evening hours their present source was so weak, one man said he 'had trouble recognizing his own children in the dim light when he got home from work'. This project was quickly carried to a successful completion.

"An official Chamber of Commerce, affiliated with the State and National organization, was organized in October, 1946. They had already obtained 276 members, at dues of $25.00 per year. The first meetings were held at Eddie Gilstrap Motors store.

 

"Officers elected were: President, Eddie Gilstrap; 1st Vice-President, Lee Davis; 2nd Vice-President, Wade Cook; Treasurer, Agnes Crim. Topics discussed were: Lights, Water, Housing and Street Improvement.

"The first mention of fostering new industries for Salem was in April, 1947. In May, Ralph Denien was appointed Chairman of an Aviation Committee with the idea of building an airport for the county.

 

"On July 4th, that same year, the Chamber of Commerce put on their first fireworks display. A man by the name of Gillespie had been hired as Executive Secretary at the beginning of 1947. In November, he was replaced by Charles Luther, with Pauline Allen as his Secretary.

 

"In September, 1947, there was a discussion of the parking meter survey and plans were made to promote this project through the city administration. In June, 1948, at a meeting held in the Strauss building, the Chamber voted to pay for a telephone to be used at the Fairground during the County Fair. There was also talk of rehabilitating the old reservoir pool on State Road 56 for a swimming pool.

 

"Later on in the year, plans were made to buy and put up Christmas decorations for the first time. In 1949, the meeting place was changed to the Morgan Hotel. Don Martin appeared before them in March to propose a radio station for Salem. A wading pool and swings were to be added to DePauw Park. Bill Pickelheimer was Executive Secretary at this time.

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"On June 19, 1951, Frederick Batt, Chairman of the Industrial Extension Committee, proudly announced that they had succeeded in getting the Wel-Met Company (now Gould, Inc.) to locate in Salem. In 1953, a chili supper was held on Chamber of Commerce family night.

 

"Walter Gumbel became Secretary in 1954, and several new projects were launched. The Sewage Disposal system was planned at a cost of $120,000, which would take care of a population of 4,800. Campaigns for raising funds for a new wing on the hospital and for a swimming were begun. The Chamber also actively backed the proposed building of a new High School. Jim Spaulding suggested a contest determining the best decorated home at Christmas.

"In 1955, the Retail Merchants Committee sponsored a car giveaway. Largest crowd ever seen in Salem came on June 24th, to see the Chevrolet drawing. On October 28th, a new Pontiac was given.

 

"In 1956, Don Martin asked the Chamber of Commerce to write a letter to the Federal Communication to ask for an increase in power for WSLM. In 1957, the Recreation Committee sponsored the organizing of Little League Teams. It was in 1958 that the first Citizen of the Year award was made. Zella Cauble was the recipient. Bill Brown was named in 1959 and Bill Spradley in 1960.

 

"In 1961, Bill Goen started serving his first year as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He continued in the office for 3 terms, which was as long as one man could serve. During these three years much progress was made. One of the first was the backing of the Williams Convalescent Center which, as can be witnessed by its growth, is a most appreciated facility for the community.

 

"Early in 1962, there were hints of a shoe company being interested in locating here. After many trips to Washington, D. C., and Belle Camp, MD., Mr. Goen succeeded in getting an ARA loan of $474,300 to buy the land and build the factory to house the Bata Shoe Company which started production on April 29, 1963, with a crew of 70 people.

 

"In 1962, the Chamber backed the Senior Citizens in securing a lounge for their meetings and activities. The airport was developed during these years. Seven picnic tables and four furnaces were placed in the Fairgrounds in 1961 for the use of the public.

"At the November Social meeting and banquet in 1961, Bill Goen received the Citizen of the Year award. This was the year CBS Television filmed "Thanksgiving in a Small Town", and Salem was featured on nation-wide television.

 

"The Quaker Overlook roadside park was developed and opened in May, 1962, with strong backing from the Chamber of Commerce and President Goen. Hilltop Plaza, with Oscar Hughes Supermarket, opened for business, January 16, 1963. During the early sixties work was started in getting St. Rd. #56 resurfaced and rerouted for several miles out toward Scottsburg. This was carried out after Mr. Goen went into the State Highway Department, and the project was carried out. In May 1963, the Dial Telephone system was brought to Salem.

"Vaughn Banter, Dirk Cook, Frank Newkirk, Don Martin, Bob Shields, and Dean Hawkins have served as president. Robert L. Bennett is president for 1976. Other Citizens of the Year Award winners were: 1962, Elsie Williams; 1963, James Allen; 1964, Jack Mahuron; and Dr. Irvin Huckleberry; Ray Rutherford; Dr. E. R. Apple; Don Martin; Bob Holler; Dr. Edgar DeJean; Oscar Hughes, Chester Smith; Oran Morris; John Colglazier; and the 1975 winner was Miss Lulie Davis."