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

Reed Opera House

1870

— Salem Downtown Historic District —

Reed Opera House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

1. Reed Opera House Marker

Inscription. The Reed Opera House, built in 1870 by Oregon Adjutant General Cyrus Reed, contained a 1500 seat theater, and a complex of seven retail stores that constituted the state’s first “shopping mall.” Susan B. Anthony campaigned for women’s suffrage from the opera house stage, and Author Samuel Clemens, Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast, and John Philip Sousa entertained Salem audiences here. It was the center of Salem’s early social and cultural life until the last curtain in 1900, when the structure was converted into Salem’s first department store, Joseph Meyers and Sons.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Susan B. Anthony series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 44° 56.457′ N, 123° 2.314′ W. Marker is in Salem, Oregon, in Marion County. It is in the Central Area. It is on Liberty Street Northeast, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 189 Liberty Street 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: Public Amusement in Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); Hughes-Durbin Building (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Ekerlen (Bishop) Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Paulus Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Roth Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); New Breyman Block (within shouting distance of this marker); PGE Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yeater Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form (1978). Statement of Significance:

The Reed Opera House is the only truly monumental building dating from the 19th century remaining in the center of Oregon's Capital City, with the exception of the Methodist Church and Waller Hall on the Willamette University campus. Architecturally, it is significant as a choice example of commercial Italianate design somewhat typical of West Coast building of its day. G.W. Rhodes, the architect, was also responsible for the castellated brick masonry State Penitentiary of 1870, a structure no longer extant. Historically, it is significant as Salem's early cultural and
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

2. Reed Opera House Marker
Two National Register of Historic Places plaques are located at the Reed Opera House building, one on the north side, and one on the east side.
social center. It was a product of the rapid growth the town enjoyed upon development of the Oregon and California Railroad, which provided--in addition to the Willamette River--another, faster link to West Coast markets.

(Submitted on October 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

3. Reed Opera House Marker

The marker is located to the right of the entrance, as seen in the photo.

Reed Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025

4. Reed Opera House

Photographed by NRHP Nomination Form, 1870

5. Reed Opera House

Reed Opera House, not long after its construction was completed in 1870.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.