SR104 Lutheran Orphanage
The Lutheran Orphanage sold much of its land holdings in the 1960s to Salem for the purpose of erecting what is now the Salem Civic Center. The buildings were sold in 1985 to Roanoke College.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1940s
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr104
SR102 Lutheran Orphanage
The Lutheran Orphanage arrived in Salem in May of 1896, occupying a brick home on five acres at the corner of present-day Florida Avenue and Boulevard. The orphanage eventually bought the former Hotel Salem on College Avenue (shown here), which it occupied from 1900 until 1927.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1910
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr102
SR101 Baptist Orphanage
Life at the orphanage often paralleled the events within Salem. Some of those were not positive. In 1918, a severe outbreak of the Spanish flu closed Salem’s schools, churches, and businesses for over a month. Sixty children at the Baptist orphanage contracted the illness, including its nurse, Mary Dunton. Ms. Dunton died as a result, having served as the orphans’ nurse for twelve years. In addition to her, the epidemic took the lives of 13 others living in Salem.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
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sr101
SR100 Baptist Orphanage
The residence for the superintendent was constructed within the first decade of the orphanage’s operation. The residence allowed the superintendent to not only live on the campus but to host visitors and families.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr100
SR099 Baptist Orphanage
This second cottage to be built for the orphanage was named for the institution’s first superintendent, the Reverend George J. Hobday, who served from 1891 until 1906.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
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sr099
SR098 Baptist Orphanage
The original 16 acres on which the orphanage sat was donated by businessman John M. Evans. The very first cottage to be built, which was completed on July 1, 1892, was named for the philanthropist.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
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sr098
SR097 Baptist Orphanage
By 1905, the Baptist Orphanage, which was just a decade old, was caring for 165 orphans. Some were placed in the institution’s care due to loss of parents, while others came to live because their families were impoverished. All needs of the children were met, and all attended schools in Salem.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr097
SR096 Baptist Orphanage
The hill-top Baptist Orphanage prided itself on being self-sustaining in its early years. A generous donation of an additional 87 acres in 1897 allowed the orphanage to even operate a full-scale farm and dairy herd.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1915
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr096
SR095 Baptist Orphanage
The cornerstone on the Administration Building was laid on July 4, 1901, becoming occupied in 1902. It’s red-brick castle-like structure was an imposing piece of architecture on the campus. The Administration Building was razed in 1965.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1910
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr095
SR094 Baptist Orphanage
Before the advent of modern medicine, quarantine was often the best strategy to avoid the spread of disease. Salem, like all communities, had to impose its fair share of them. In 1905, the Baptist Orphanage was quarantined for two weeks due to an outbreak of 15 cases of varioloid on it campus.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1920s
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
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sr094
SR093 Baptist Orphanage
As a measure of Salem’s hospitality, many of the local churches, regardless of denomination, became involved with both the Baptist and Lutheran orphanages. In fact, Roanoke College offered free tuition to qualified students from both orphanages.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1918
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr093
SR092 Baptist Orphanage
The Baptist Orphanage often brought visiting Baptists from around the state to Salem, who, according to the early Salem newspapers, would bring the children into town for entertainment and recreation.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
1910
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Digital Postcard
Still Image
sr092
PC 139.18j Baptist Orphanage
"Baptist Orphanage, Salem, Virginia"
Kiwanis Club, Salem
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
postcard
Still Image
PC139.18j
PC 139.18i Lutheran Orphanage
"Lutheran Orphanage, Salem, Virginia"
Kiwanis Club, Salem
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
postcard
Still Image
PC139.18i
PC 139.10 Lutheran Children's Home
"Lutheran Children's Home of the South, Salem, Virginia."
Asheville Postcard Co.
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
postcard
Still Image
PC139.10
PC 139.9 Lutheran Orphanage
"Lutheran Orphan Home, Salem Virginia. J.T. Crabtree, Supt."
Souvenir Post Card Co.
Roanoke Public Libraries
1913
postcard
Still Image
PC139.9
PC 132.1115 Lutheran Orphanage
"Administration Building, Lutheran Orphanage of the South, Salem"
Asheville Postcard Co.
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
postcard
Still Image
PC132.1115