A little history on the Rider House.

Fred Rider, born October 4, 1870, was the third of four children born to Ira Rider and Julia Armstrong. Ira Rider was in charge of a sawmill and logging camp at the time. Shortly afterwards, he returned to Salem where he was employed for many years at the Pere Marquette pumping stations.

Fred was the grandson of Captain Ira Rider who had come to Michigan in 1830. Captain Rider served as Township pony-rider (mail carrier), postmaster, assessor, supervisior and State Representative 1853-54.

Mr. Rider was a lifelong resident of Salem. He received his education at the Salem school. On June 23, 1897 Fred married Celia Long of Hand Station, Taylor Township. They had four children. He built the house they lived in which is now the Township Offices. Fred Rider worked at the sawmill in Salem and at Pere Marquette pumping station where water was pumped into a water tower to supply the steam locomotives. He was also a carpenter, a hunter, a trapper and an avid fisherman. In his younger years he was a member of the Salem Band and the Salem Baseball Team.

Mr. Rider helped build the Salem Town Hall along with a group of residents of the Salem area. They had dances there on the hall floor to pay for the lumber to build the walls and roof; all the labor was donated. Fred Rider died at the age of 79 years after living all but four months of his life in Salem.

From the History of Salem Township Copyright - 1976  Salem Area Historical Society Salem, Michigan 48175  Used with permission

Located inside of the Rider House this building is home to the Clerk of Salem Township offices, Building Department and Planning & Zoning. The Rider House shares the same parking lot as the township hall.