Pratum, a small farming community, is located NE of Salem. Pratum is a Latin name meaning "meadow". The name is said to have been given to the area by a group of the Mennonite Church who had settled in the area. Much of the early settlement consisted of natives of Switzerland. On Feb 28, 1887 a post office was established with the name Switzerland. On August 21, 897 the post office was moved to the Enger office. On October 1, 1898 the Pratum post office was established with Mr. Larson serving as postmaster. On June 30, 1953 Pratum was changed to a rural station served by Salem.