[4] The land where Salisbury is now located was first owned by Prier Bibo, a veteran of the War of 1812.

In 1819, a tract of 360 acres was granted to Bibo by the U.S. government as a bonus for his military service.

On April 4, 1882, Salisbury was organized and chartered as a fourth-class city under Missouri laws.

[6][7] Early businesses included two hotels, a flour mill, three tobacco factories, three manufacturers of agricultural equipment and some forty other assorted merchants in the latter 19th century.

[5] Residents could visit the Salisbury Opera House,[6] where the town's location on the Wabash rail line came into play, conveniently bringing in notable performers of the time.

In 2008 Salisbury's downtown area underwent major sidewalk and road work, with replica early 20th-century-style streetlights installed.

A major renovation and expansion project in 2010 and 2011 added more class space to the facility.

Along with classrooms, construction of a tornado-safe multipurpose area including a new gymnasium is ongoing.

A fire in 1888 destroyed the first school building and it was replaced by a much larger two-story brick structure.

[6] In addition to the public school, Salisbury Academy, opened in 1888, provided for higher education at what today would be considered a junior college level.

The Middle Fork of the Little Chariton River flows past the southeast side of the city.

[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.33 square miles (3.44 km2), all land.