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Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the city population was just under 6,000 people. It is the county seat of Salem County. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace. It was founded by members of the Quaker religion in 1675.
Salem’s formal existence dates back to a township of the same name established in October 1693 for the purpose of electing officers. The area had been laid out in 1675 by John Fenwick. The township was formally incorporated on February 21, 1798. On February 25, 1858, it was reincorporated as Salem City. Salem is located along the Salem River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of about three square miles, of which only a small portion is under water. Salem is county seat. The Old Salem County Courthouse, situated on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States. The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.
Salem is well known as the birthplace of the famous major league baseball player, Goose Goslin.
Salem borders Elsinboro Township, Pennsville Township, Mannington Township, Quinton Township, and Lower Alloways Creek Townships. Other towns in Salem County include Pennsville, Penns Grove, Pedricktown, Carneys Point, and Woodstown. Located near Salem is the Borough of Penns Grove. Many people from Italy, especially the small village of Valle San Giovanni (home of Casale) emigrated to Penns Grove, NJ in the early 1900’s. Some of the immigrants arrived from Amatricia bringing a famous pasta dish with them. In the summer months festivities included meals featuring porchetta, fettucine, polpettine, and scrippelle.
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