Part Three of October on the Road.
The Great Wagon Road carved its way through the colonial American backcountry, drawing settlers southward in an endless tide. Most towns along this vital artery served merely as brief stopping points, but the settlements of North Carolina’s Wachovia Tract – particularly Salem – stood apart as centers of stability, industry, and spiritual purpose. More than a waypoint, Salem became an economic and cultural powerhouse that demonstrated what organized community and skilled craftsmanship could achieve along one of North America’s most important migration routes.
Moravian Vision and the Birth of Wachovia
Salem’s story begins with the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination rooted in Bohemia and Moravia. Seeking religious freedom and the chance to build self-sufficient communal societies, the Moravians established successful settlements in North America during the mid-18th century. Their colony in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania thrived, and as German-speaking immigrants pushed southward, Moravian leaders recognized an opportunity to expand their mission.
In 1753, after careful exploration, the Moravians purchased nearly 100,000 acres in North Carolina’s backcountry from John Carteret, Earl Granville. They named this fertile land “Wachovia” – a Latinized form of “Wachau,” Count Zinzendorf’s ancestral estate. Zinzendorf served as the Moravian Church’s patron, and this naming choice reflected the deep connection between the church and its benefactor.
The first settlers arrived in November 1753, establishing Bethabara, or “House of Passage.” Though humble in its beginnings, this settlement marked the start of a meticulously planned venture that would transform the region.
Bethabara: Proving the Concept
Bethabara quickly embodied the Moravian commitment to industry and self-reliance. Within years, the settlement operated a gristmill, sawmill, pottery, tannery, and various craft shops. Its location directly on the well-traveled Great Wagon Road proved immediately advantageous. Weary wagoners, farmers needing grain milled, and families requiring repairs or provisions discovered a welcoming and capable community. This early success validated the Moravian vision for Wachovia as a network of interconnected towns, each serving a specific purpose.
Salem: A Planned Community
The Moravians always intended to establish a central town that would serve as the administrative, spiritual, and commercial heart of Wachovia. That vision became reality in 1766 with Salem’s founding. Unlike the haphazard sprawl typical of frontier settlements, Salem emerged from careful planning. Surveyors laid out streets, public squares, and building plots according to a precise master plan. Even the name – derived from the Hebrew word for “peace” – reflected the community’s aspirations.
An Economic Model Unlike Any Other
Salem’s importance to the Great Wagon Road stemmed from its distinctive economic structure. While most frontier towns depended on subsistence farming and basic trade, Salem operated as a “congregation town” where the church oversaw all aspects of life, including economic activity. This central authority enabled a highly specialized, quality-driven economy. Master craftsmen – silversmiths, potters, cabinetmakers, coopers, bakers, and shoemakers – trained to exacting standards and produced goods renowned for their durability and artistry. Travelers on the Wagon Road sought out these products eagerly.
Picture a family traveling for weeks, their wagon axles groaning and supplies running low.
Approaching Salem, they would encounter orderly brick and timber-frame buildings – a striking contrast to the rough log cabins common elsewhere on the frontier. Here they could purchase finely crafted tools, durable textiles, and fresh bread from the bakery, or have their wagons expertly repaired by skilled wheelwrights. The tavern offered not just lodging but a glimpse into a different way of life, characterized by order, cleanliness, and quiet purpose.
Salem’s economic influence extended beyond immediate transactions. Its robust internal economy created demand for raw materials, fostering trade relationships throughout the region. Its mills processed grain from local farms, while artisans worked with timber, clay, and metals sourced nearby. This interconnectedness made Wachovia a significant economic engine, providing stability and opportunity in an ever-shifting frontier landscape.
A Cultural and Intellectual Beacon
Salem’s role as a cultural center proved equally important. The Moravians valued education highly, establishing schools for boys and girls, including Salem Academy, founded in 1772 and still operating today. Music formed an integral part of Moravian life, and Salem became celebrated for its rich musical tradition – choirs, instrumental ensembles, and regular performances enriched community life. These cultural offerings provided vital counterbalance to frontier hardships and attracted visitors and settlers seeking more than economic opportunity alone.
A Network of Communities
Other Moravian settlements within Wachovia complemented Salem’s role. Bethania, established in 1759, functioned primarily as an agricultural village, supplying Salem with essential foodstuffs. Friedberg, founded in 1770, also focused on farming, with settlers owning their own farms while remaining connected to central Moravian governance. This network of interdependent communities strengthened the entire tract, creating a cohesive and resilient society.
Legacy and Transformation
As the Great Wagon Road continued channeling migration south and west, Salem and the Wachovia Tract evolved. Even after the communal economic system transitioned to private ownership in the 19th century, the legacy of Moravian craftsmanship, education, and community planning endured. The quality of Salem’s goods, the discipline of its people, and the beauty of its architecture left an indelible mark on the region.
A Living Testament
Today, Historic Old Salem stands as a living museum, preserving this unique colonial settlement’s remarkable story. Walking its cobblestone streets, entering its preserved workshops, and admiring its meticulously restored buildings, visitors can almost hear the rumble of wagon wheels and sense the bustling activity that once characterized this vital hub. Salem was never merely a stopping point. It was a testament to vision, skill, and community – the true enduring heart along a path of relentless progress.
Salem’s Part in My #OctoberOnTheRoad Journey
As introduced here, part of my journey is to research my family’s history. One potential branch, of German ancestry, traveled the Great Wagon Road south from Philadelphia, PA to Salisbury, NC. Johannes Nicholas Adam arrived in the colonies in 1727; his son Johannes (John) Adams left Lancaster PA in the early 1750s. His name pops up in various historical records in Salisbury beginning in 1755; among other findings, he was the first European potter in Salisbury. He died in 1762. A son of his soon departed the area, to Kentucky.
Since John Adams was of Lutheran descent, with a German family, he would have been received well in Salem by the Moravians. Though not of the same religion, they had the same language in common. I would like to imagine that Adams and his family were able to rest, restock, and move on down the Great Wagon Road after spending some time in Salem.
Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.
During my elementary school years one of the things I looked forward to the most was the delivery of “My Weekly Reader,” a weekly educational magazine designed for children and containing news-based current events.
It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.
27gen.com 