​     The O. Winston Link Museum at The Historical Society of Western Virginia in Roanoke has the pamphlet Salem, Virginia Her Past History and Future Prospects.  It was published around 1900 and includes descriptions of the key industries that were located there along with other aspects of the cmmunity.  The pamphlet includes this description of the Salem Machine Works: 

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     One of the oldest and best known industrial enterprises of this section of Virginia is the Salem Foundry and Machine Works and its output of flour mill machinery has a wide reputation, finding as it does ready sale not only in the State but throughout West Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and the South generally.

 

     The establishment of this industry dates back to 1890. The plant covering an acre of ground and consists of a two-story machine shop 60x200 feet. The whole being equipped with all the latest improved machinery best suited to the character of work done. About 30 skilled mechanics are employed the year round to keep anything like up with the demands upon the excellent work turned out such as roller mills, bolting machines,purifiers, bran dusters,packers and cornmeal outfits and all kinds of repair work.