New Salem, Texas
New Salem is an unincorporated community 10 miles southwest of Laneville in Rusk County, Texas.[1]
New Salem | |
|---|---|
  New Salem Location within the state of Texas  New Salem New Salem (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 31°56′29.61″N 94°57′34.78″W / 31.9415583°N 94.9596611°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Rusk County |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 55 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
History
Before the United States Civil War New Salem was settled by planters. The town was named "Salem" by Oscar Wilson, in honor of his former home in Victoria County, Texas. A malaria outbreak diminished the communities population. However, the towns population began to expand in the 1850s with the town being officially incorporated in 1856. A post office was established in 1849, the postmaster was Poindexter Payne. In 1855 the population was 100 and decreased to 85 by 1896. The town had three stores, two flour mills, and a Baptist church. The post office was shut down in 1955 when and the mail was redirected to Henderson, Texas. The population remained stable at 180 from the 1920s through the 1960s. However, by 1970 the population had decreased to 31. In the 2000 United States Census the population was 55.[2][3]
References
- ^ "Rusk County, TXGenWeb". www.txrusk.com. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ^ BIESELE, MEGAN (15 June 2010). "NEW SALEM, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ^ "Rusk County, TXGenWeb". www.txrusk.com. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
Municipalities and communities of Rusk County, Texas, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |