Salem Springs
The post office named Sexton was established in June 1882 and operated until June 1906 when mail was diverted to Summers. But settlement of Salem Springs began by 1832.
Salem Springs, known also as Sexton, was one of the largest Indian trading places along the territory line. It is less than a mile from the border between Arkansas and the Indian Territory. A spring flows from the hillside and was renowned for the healing properties of it’s water in the earliest days. A hotel and health resort was built for the visitors. A general store, mill and as many as 14 businesses operated there and at least two doctors.
In September 1833, Bishop Joshua Soule of the Methodist-Episcopal Church held an annual conference at what the Methodist Conference Journal called Mountain Spring Campground, but also referred to the place as Salem Springs. A marker was placed there in 1999 by the Arkansas Methodist Conference noting the 1833 meeting.
Burlene Hilton reported that the coming of railroads in the early 1900s to Westville in Indian Territory and the short-lived one through Summers, just north of Salem Springs caused the prosperous little town to begin to fade away.
Bibliography:
Washington County Post Offices and Postmasters 1829-1976, by Deane Carter, published by Washington County Historical Society.
“Old Salem Springs (Sexton),” by Burlene Hilton, Flashback, February 1969.
