Salem, Virginia Beach

Salem is a residential area of Virginia Beach, Virginia located in the southern part of the independent city. The Virginia Beach Sportsplex stadium is located within the community. It is a three-level steel and concrete structure, formerly home to the Virginia Beach Mariners professional soccer team.

History

The Salem area contains several 19th-century structures recorded in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ Phase II survey of southern Virginia Beach. Among the most notable is the Salem United Methodist Church, originally established around 1859 and rebuilt in 1914, as well as a number of historic dwellings that reflect the agricultural character of the community during the period when Princess Anne County was predominantly rural.
In the late 20th century, Salem became the site of the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, a major athletic complex that opened in 1999 and helped establish a sports and recreation district in this part of the city. The stadium and adjacent facilities now serve as prominent landmarks within the Salem community and support regional sporting events and multipurpose activities.
General historical resources for the area—including archival materials relating to Princess Anne County—are maintained by the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society, which preserves records and documentation relevant to Salem’s cultural and settlement development.