Salem was named after New Salem, Massachusetts the birthplace of Lyman Curtis a well know citizen who contributed greatly to the community. Salem was founded in 1851 known as Pond Town or Summer Springs, due to the way the natural springs bubbled up through the sandy soil. These springs were damned and created what is now Salem Pond, an iconic center of this town. With an estimated population around 6,400, Salem is quickly growing and is known as a highly desired community to reside in Utah County.