April 4, 2014

200 years ago today on April 4, 1814, General John DePauw as Territorial Agent for the Town of Salem filed the original plat for Salem of 142 lots with Isaac Blackford as County Recorder. The north boundary was Hackberry Street; the east boundary was east of High Street; the south boundary was Royse's Fork of Blue River and the west boundary was Mill Street. He was supposed to advertise for sale the lots by the 2d Tuesday in April, so he just did beat the deadline. Legend has it that the plat was laid out with a chain made of a grapevine. DePauw was assisted by Levi Wright and Thomas Pitts. DePauw was authorized to sell the lots on credit with 25% down and the balance due in 1 year. Was there a land rush? Stay tuned.