In the shadow of Winston-Salem's tall buildings and within hearing distance of highways and railroad yards, Salem Cemetery exudes calmness and serenity throughout its rolling landscape. The hills and ravines that comprise its terrain made it an unlikely location for a cemetery. Since it was chartered in 1857, Salem Cemetery reflects the personal taste and imagination of individuals who designed their family plots, vaults, and markers. A walk along the winding paths, noting names on markers and vaults, is a walk through the city's history, recalling the people who lived, labored, and loved here. The story of the people who find eternal rest in Salem Cemetery is the story of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.