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Welcome to the West Salem Historical Society of West Salem, WI
Kindschy's Top 10 List of Things That Make West Salem Unique
#1. Home of Mary Lottridge
Dr. Lottridge was the 2nd female doctor in the United States with her own practice.
#2. Home of Hamlin Garland
Hamlin Garland was a Pulitzer Prize winning author of the book "A Daughter of the Middle Border."
#3. Home of George Taylor
#3. Home of George Taylor
George Taylor was the first African American candidate for President of the United States.
#4. Home of Fred Meyer
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
#3. Home of George Taylor
Fred Meyer was the founder of Red Dot Potato Chips.
#5. Home of Damien Miller
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
Damien Miller is a former professional baseball player who won the 2001 World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
#6. Home of Edna Gartner Whyte
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Edna Gartner Whyte, known as the Flying Grandmother, was the only woman in the United States to own her own airport. A personal friend of Amelia Earhart, Whyte flew planes into her 80's!
#7. Home of the matriarch of the Mar's Candy Company
Ethel G (Kissack) Mars is laid to rest at the Hamilton Cemetery in West Salem. In his later life, her son Forrest Mars named a candy company after her, Ethel M Chocolates.
#8. Home of "Biddy" Rhodes
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"Biddy" Rhodes was a famous hen owned by Gus Rhodes that reportedly laid 19 eggs in one day, 67 eggs in eight days and 171 eggs in a month!
#9. Home of Ida Tilson
Ida Tilson was a teacher, writer, speaker and world traveler who helped Booker T. Washington set up the Tuskegee Institute.
#10. Home of Admiral Jay Johnson
Admiral Jay Johnson served as the 26th Chief of Naval Operations, serving from 1996-2000.
West Salem, like many American towns, has a long history of residents who have gone above and beyond. We are grateful and thankful that many of these people called West Salem home. Today, our village continues to be filled with residents who care for one another and carry out countless volunteer activities and community service projects. We celebrate and honor our history and look to the future with great hope!