Downtown Salem's history will come alive for residents and visitors under a new program featuring a series of historical markers and a revamped walking tour, city officials said.

A $70,000 federal parks grant announced Monday will help fund the program, for which the city will install as many as 50 markers on downtown buildings and sites detailing their historical significance for passers-by.

"I believe that folks think, 'Oh, these are beautiful old buildings, how nice they're still around,' but they don't realize Salem grew from its downtown and a lot of the city's roots are there," said Salem resident Hazel Patton, who helped put together the successful grant application.