Salisbury, Missouri

Judge Lucius Salisbury, town founder

The land where Salisbury is now located was first owned by Prior Bibo, a veteran of the War of 1812, in the late 1820s. A tract of 320 acres was granted to Bibo by the U.S. government as a bonus for his military service.[5] Following two intermediate owners, the land was sold for $400 to Judge Lucius Salisbury in 1856. He had surveyors lay out the town plat in 1857,[6] and the town was founded on April 1, 1867. The city has had a post office since 1863, when Judge Salisbury opened it in his home. He also ran the stagecoach stop from his business, known as "Shop-A-While."[7]

By the 1870 U.S. Census, Salisbury's population was 626. Just two years later, the town was struck by a large tornado. Major fires damaged much of the business district in 1877 and again in 1882. On April 4, 1882, Salisbury was organized and chartered as a fourth-class city under Missouri laws.[7][8]

Early businesses included two hotels, a flour mill, three tobacco factories, three manufacturers of agricultural equipment and some forty other assorted merchants in the latter 19th century.[5] Residents could visit the Salisbury Opera House,[7] where the town's location on the Wabash rail line came into play, conveniently bringing in notable performers of the time. A published 1896 history of Chariton County lists among the community's businesses and amenities two newspapers, six physicians, a soda-pop factory, cigar factory, and a city-owned power plant for electricity.[7]

The Salisbury Square Historic District and Frabrishous and Sarah A. Thomas House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[9]

Salisbury is governed by a mayor-council form of government and is a 4th class city under Missouri classification. City council meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. In 2008 Salisbury's downtown area underwent major sidewalk and road work, with replica early 20th-century-style streetlights installed. Fire protection is provided by the Salisbury Fire Department, a volunteer-based organization.[10] A paid police department provides law enforcement services.

Salisbury's second school building

The Salisbury R-IV school district provides K-12 education to the town of Salisbury and a portion of surrounding Chariton County. A major renovation and expansion project in 2010 and 2011 added more class space to the facility. Along with classrooms, construction of a tornado-safe multipurpose area including a new gymnasium is ongoing. Athletic teams from Salisbury High School have won multiple Missouri state championships: 1997 Class 1A football, 2001 and 2002 Class 2A softball, 2004 Class 1A boys' golf, 2012 Class 1A girls' cross county,[11] and 2012-2013 Class 2A boys' basketball.[12]

The first school in Salisbury opened in April 1867, with 108 students. A fire in 1888 destroyed the first school building and it was replaced by a much larger two-story brick structure.[7] In addition to the public school, Salisbury Academy, opened in 1888, provided for higher education at what today would be considered a junior college level. North Missouri Institute, another college-preparatory school, opened in 1891.[7]

Salisbury has a public library, the Dulany Memorial Library.[13]

Salisbury is located at the intersection of US Route 24 and Missouri Route 129. Keytesville is approximately seven miles to the west and Clifton Hill is about seven miles to the east in adjacent Randolph County along Route 24. The Middle Fork of the Little Chariton River flows past the southeast side of the city.[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.33 square miles (3.44 km²), all land.[15]

Major Floyd Parks

• Floyd B. Parks - U.S. Marine aviator who earned the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions leading Marine fighter squadron VMF-221 during the Battle of Midway; the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Floyd B. Parks was named in his honor.

• Salisbury City Park features a playground, horse arena, tennis court, ball field, and picnic area. The city swimming pool is located across the street.[6]
• James C. Philpotts Park, located just south of the city, provides multiple recreation opportunities such as a 9-hole public golf course, playgrounds, walking trails and a small lake. The park also provides a 10-unit campground with electricity, water and sewer services available.
• Two lakes just outside the city limits, Sterling Price Lake and Lake Nehai Tonkayea, provide fishing and boating opportunities.[6]
• Salisbury Steak Festival is held each June, with various games, local entertainment, and a community steak supper.[20]

• 
  Salisbury Academy, a junior college founded in 1888
• 
  Illustration of the Salisbury Canning Factory
• 
  Salisbury Savings Bank and Plattners Dry Goods
• 
  W.M. Cox tobacco factory, Salisbury

• Historic maps of Salisbury in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri