Central Area in Salem in Marion County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
First Trustees of Oregon Institute
Feb 1, 1842
| | Founding of Willamette University | |
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025
1. Founding of Willamette University Marker
Chosen by settlers of Oregon country Feb 1, 1842 as the original Board of Trustees of Oregon Institute which in 1853 by Act of the Oregon Territorial Legislature became Willamette University
David Leslie
Jason Lee
Lewis H. Judson
Josiah L. Parrish
Alanson Beers
Gustavus Hines
Ira L. Babcock
Hamilton Campbell
George Abernethy
Erected 1972 by Willamette University, Lewis Judson.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1842.
Location. 44° 56.244′ N, 123° 1.871′ W. Marker is in Salem, Oregon, in Marion County. It is in the Central Area. It can be reached from State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 950 State Street, 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willamette University College of Medicine (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Giant Sequoia (about 500 feet away); Dr. John McLoughlin (about 600 feet away); Marking an Old Trail (about 600 feet away); Rev. Jason Lee (about 600 feet away); Column Segments (about 600 feet away); Moon Tree (about 700 feet away); The Circuit Rider / Robert Booth Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025
2. Founding of Willamette University Marker
The front of the monument reads:
Placed Feb. 1, 1972
by
Lewis Judson
by
Lewis Judson
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, October 14, 2025
3. Founding of Willamette University Marker
View of the marker with historic Waller Hall in the background.
City of Salem Oregon Historic Photographic Collections
4. First Trustees of Oregon Institute monument dedication
This photo was taken during the dedication ceremony of a monument honoring the first trustees of the Oregon Institute. On the left is President Roger Fritz of Willamette University, accepting the monument from Lewis Judsonthe grandson of Methodist missionary and pioneer Lewis Hubbell Judson, who arrived in Oregon in 1840 and was one of the original trustees commemorated on the monument.
The elder Judson played a pivotal role in shaping the Oregon Institute, helping to draft its prospectus and code of by-laws. The Institute later evolved into the academic department of Willamette University upon its founding in 1853.
Given that the monument is dated February 1, 1972, the dedication likely marked the sesquicentennial celebration of the founding trustees and the early beginnings of what would become Willamette University.
The elder Judson played a pivotal role in shaping the Oregon Institute, helping to draft its prospectus and code of by-laws. The Institute later evolved into the academic department of Willamette University upon its founding in 1853.
Given that the monument is dated February 1, 1972, the dedication likely marked the sesquicentennial celebration of the founding trustees and the early beginnings of what would become Willamette University.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
