Shrum Family Legacy

In the early days of Washington County, three generations of the Shrum family, whose professional work is found in buildings in Washington D.C. as well as San Francisco, helped lend to Salem the atmosphere of a larger more sophisticated town.

Owner of a brick yard, the scion of the family, Alfred Shrum came to Salem from Virginia. He had worked as a mason on construction of the east wing of the White House. Through the years, Alfred worked on the Sinclair Woolen Mill, the Washington County Courthouse, the Lyon Block, the streets and sidewalks of Salem, and his own Second Empire style home on Hackberry.

Guy, his son, was involved in construction in San Francisco after the fire, and the Omaha Nebraska Courthouse as well as assisting in the construction of West Baden Springs Hotel. His brother, Ambrose Shrum built the Salem Carnegie Library in Salem.

Bradie Shrum was the daughter of Alfred and taught for over 50 years in Salem and came out of retirement during WWII to teach during a shortage. Bradie also started the Girl Scouts in Salem. The elementary school in Salem is named in her honor.

Visit the Steven's Memorial Museum for more information on the Shrum family legacy.