Salem has many claims to fame but none is greater than its connection with the July 20,1907 Wreck  on the Pere Marquette Railroad. However it took place not in Salem Twp but just across the Washtenaw/Wayne County line in Northville Township. Salem was the last station passed by a special excursion train carrying more than 600 persons before a horrendous head on  collision with a local freight train. With  33 persons  killed and over 100 injured it was and still is Michigans worst passenger train accident.