Archaeological evidence of Indian activity in Salem dates from 8,000 - 9,000 B.C. until the middle of the 18th century. The Tutelo Indian tribe is believed to have lived near the Roanoke River in the vicinity of what later became Salem.

The founder of Salem was General Andrew Lewis, hero of the Battle of Point Pleasant. This battle, fought in 1774, routed the Northwestern Indians across the Ohio River and drove them westward. Lewis is buried in Salem, where a monument marks his grave. A statue of Lewis, one of six which surrounds the George Washington Monument, also stands in Richmond’s Capitol Square.

A prominent citizen and leader of Botetourt County, Gen. Lewis acquired a 625-acre estate in 1768 which he named "Richfield". This estate, which contained most of the area of Salem’s present city limits, was later subdivided and sold.

In 1800, wealthy landowner James Simpson bought a tract which became Salem for $100. His newly purchased 31 acres were ideally located geographically because they encompassed land on both sides of a road frequented by travelers heading northeastward and southwestward.

Simpson, hoping to take advantage of the heavy traffic on the dirt and gravel roadways of his day - the Wilderness Road and the Great Road - established a town which, in turn, generated commerce in the Roanoke Valley. In 1806, the Virginia General Assembly granted a charter to Simpson creating the town of Salem. It was comprised of 16 acres of the Gen. Lewis estate and was bounded by Church Alley, and Calhoun, Clay,and Union Streets.

In 1838, the huge county of Botetourt was subdivided to create Roanoke County. Salem was designated the county seat.

An event of immeasurable impact on Salem and its future occurred in 1847. Roanoke College came to town in a single wagon, transplanted from Mount Tabor in Augusta County. Today the Lutheran-affiliated private liberal arts school lends enormous culture to the area.

Salem was chartered as a city in 1968 to continue its traditional pace.

Salem is a contrast of quaint, charming historical culture and thriving modern industry. Many of its charming downtown Victorian homes are on the National Register of Historic Places. Major industries include the VA Hospital, Lewis-Gale Hospital and Clinic and General Electric.

Salem is also home to the Salem Civic Center, where the Salem Fair and Exposition, the Second largest Fair in Virginia, is held each July. The Civic Center also hosts the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, one of the top 10 horse shows in the country.

A sports oriented city, Salem provides Class A professional baseball at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium with the Salem Avalanche, a Colorado Rockies farm team. Salem also has an 8,000 seat football stadium which is home of the Salem High School Spartans. Three superb golf courses also are located in Salem.

One of the most popular festivals in the Roanoke Valley, Olde Salem Days, is held each September. It features one of the largest antique car shows in the east coast, as well as an arts and crafts show.