Central Area in Salem in Marion County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Paulus Building

1907

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

1. Paulus Building Marker

Inscription.
This property has been
placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 44° 56.484′ N, 123° 2.336′ W. Marker is in Salem, Oregon, in Marion County. It is in the Central Area. It is on Court Street Northeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 355 Court St NE, Salem OR 97301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon Wine Country

and in the Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

New Breyman Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Pearce Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Reed Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); PGE Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Yeater Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Breyman Brothers Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Public Amusement in Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); South Eldridge Block/Greenbaum Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (1992). Statement of Significance:

The Christopher Paulus building is the only remaining unaltered example of a once common two story Commercial Style building in the downtown Salem business district. The two story brick and stucco building’s facade is quite plain when compared to earlier Salem Commercial buildings, being more functional and less expensive to build, a probable result of an experienced contractor’s design rather than an architect’s. Built in 1907 as an Investment by Christopher
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

2. Paulus Building
The marker can be seen in the center of the building.
Paulus, who built and remodeled several Salem commercial buildings, it was located on one of the first paved streets in the downtown, replacing two one story wooden stores then at that location. Originally a retail furniture store, the structure remains substantially Intact throughout the exterior and interior of the building, most probably the result of housing for 60 years the ‘venerable’ (for Salem) family owned and operated Doughton’s Hardware store, and also because the Paulus family retained ownership until 1990.

Christopher Paulus built three other commercial buildings in downtown Salem, as well as many residential homes. Two of his commercial buildings have been destroyed, the third building has been extensively remodeled.

The building was originally designed and built to meet the needs of the small independent merchant. The Paulus Building was leased for furniture stores, a Maxwell automobile dealership, and after the division in 1931 into two stores, for a hardware store, a dry goods company, and Sally’s Inc. (a leader in fashion for Salem women during the mid 1900’s). Doughton Hardware, located in the west half of
Photographed by NRHP Nomination Form, July 4, 1908

3. Paulus Building
the building remained in business from 1934 through 1991. Until it sold in the late 1980’s, Doughton’s remained a family owned and operated hardware store catering to the needs of the local community. During those years it became the local resource for hunting, fishing, housewares, paints, blasting powder, and hardware. The Paulus Building remains an important piece of the history of commerce in Salem, as many of the businesses occupying the building remained for many years and contributed to the growth, culture and fashion of the community. The fact that the storefronts remain historically intact, reflecting the style and feel of the time, is significant in local history.

(Submitted on October 19, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Paulus Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by NRHP Nomination Form, 1935

4. Paulus Building

The Paulus Builing can be seen with the Sally's Ladies Wear sign hanging in front.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.