Originally known as Salem Crossroads or New Salem, Delmont was founded in 1814. First constructed in the early 1800s, the water trough was connected by wooden pipes to the nearby "big spring," which was never known to run dry. The community of Salem Crossroads thrived in large part due to the watering trough, known as the "running pump." It became a major stopping point for early stagecoach lines with their need for a water supply for thirsty passengers, horses and livestock. The trough was responsible for the town's location and prosperity. Although there were many reconstructions over the years, it remains today, restored and maintained by a community that values its past.