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Salem

Founded 1802 – laid out on land owned by James Simpson. Established by the General Assembly in 1806. Incorporated as town of Salem in1836. Became a city in 1968.

Origin of name possibly from the Bryan family (early settlers in what became Salem). The family came from Salem, NJ.

Estimated population (most recent estimate): 24,825 (2006 U.S. Census estimate)

Of note

Salem was part of a land grant to Andrew Lewis, a Revolutionary War figure, in 1768.

Home to Roanoke College, founded in 1842, and the second-oldest Lutheran-affiliated college in the country.

Glenvar

Roanoke County was founded in 1838. It takes its name from Indian word for shell money. Plus, the Roanoke River ran through the place. About 90,482 people live in Roanoke County, according to the 2006 U.S. Census estimate.

The name Glenvar originated in 1891, from the middle name of Mary Glenvar Harmon, daughter of a prominent landowner in the region. It is said she liked to hang out at a particular railroad stop in western Roanoke County. In time, a Glenvar post office was established, but was discontinued in the early 1900s.

Glenvar High School was first established in 1964, but then became a junior high school in 1977. In those days, the Salem school system was part of the Roanoke County school system. When Salem set up its own school system in 1983, Glenvar was re-established as a high school.