Dr. Wilhelm Keil founded here a Christian co-operative colony patterned after his colony at Bethel, Missouri. Musicians of the settlement made it widely famous. After Dr. Keil's death in 1877 the communal enterprise was dissolved. — — Map (db m114279) HM
This black walnut was planted c. 1884 by the Zimmerman family who were prominent members of the Aurora Colony. Early Aurora settlers were talented and industrious. Their products gained a wide reputation for excellence during the early days of . . . — — Map (db m244246) HM
During the period of Oregon's Provisional Government ( 1841-1849), residents traveled by Indian trails, water courses, or on privative rough-hewn wagon roads etched by emigrant settlers. During the days to the Territorial Government (1849-1859), and . . . — — Map (db m114295) HM
Jonas Will and Andrew Snyder, children of Aurora Colony members, established this then modern mercantile store. Jonas had been an Aurora merchant since 1888. The families ran this business until the 1940's. — — Map (db m114293) HM
Used as a general store. Wm. Keil and Company catered to the trade of some of the mid-valley's best known pioneers by cash or barter. — — Map (db m114294) HM
These Corinthian column segments originally were part of those that graced the west and east entrance porticos of Oregon's first state house. The cornerstone for the original Capitol was laid October 8, 1873. The building was partially . . . — — Map (db m113717) HM
This reproduction of the Liberty Bell was presented to the people of Oregon by direction of The Honorable John W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury
As the inspirational symbol of the United States Savings Bonds Independence . . . — — Map (db m286757) HM
Founded in 1840 by Methodist missionaries,
Became territorial capital in 1852,
An incorporated city in 1857,
Permanent capital of Oregon in 1864.
W. D. Pugh designed this city hall. Under construction in 1893.Marion County Centennial . . . — — Map (db m63966) HM
In 1922 Thomas Gregor Bligh bought this property from the Salem Elks Fraternal Organization. In 1924, a year after constructing this Mission Revival building, the owner died in an automobile accident. In 1927, is wife Anna sold the property to . . . — — Map (db m287162) HM
The Circuit Rider (south side)Commemorating the labors and achievements of the Ministers of the Gospel, who as circuit riders became the friends, counselors and evangels to the pioneers on every American frontier Robert Booth . . . — — Map (db m157700) HM
In 1867, Willamette University founded the first medical school in the Pacific Northwest – the third such college west of St. Louis.
This college was maintained in Salem from 1867 until 1913 except for the period 1878 to 1895 during which . . . — — Map (db m113737) HM
“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance”
National 9/11 . . . — — Map (db m286371) WM
This downtown block, now site of the Salem Conference Center and The Grand Hotel, has a legacy of hospitality and comfort for those from out of town. The Chemeketa House originally opened here in December of 1870 as Oregon’s premier hotel. It . . . — — Map (db m287041) HM
In 1880, after fire destroyed the wooden buildings here, Samuel Adolph constructed a brick building offering space for three businesses. Smith & Millican, butchers, and Adolph’s saloon were the first two. The third store included jewelers and The . . . — — Map (db m287058) HM
If you were standing here in the 1890s, you could hop on a streetcar and get off at the Capitol or continue to the train station on 12th Street—then considered the outskirts of town.
The first trolleys in Salem were horse-drawn passenger . . . — — Map (db m287044) HM
This site was originally part of the Starkey-McCulley Block to the north and presents a harmonious continuation of that Commercial style with similar second-story fenestration and exterior sheathing. William Anderson, a prominent early Salem . . . — — Map (db m286622) HM
Soon after constructing this Commercial-style building, Arthur Moore moved his bicycle shop into the ground floor and his residence into the second floor, where they also rented apartments. He expanded his shop to include sports equipment. Moore . . . — — Map (db m287184) HM
Originally two buildings, changes in 1923 incorporated a central stairway for access to offices on the second floor. The northern bank portion is probably the only remaining building designed by Holly Cornell (1859-1911), a local architect. For many . . . — — Map (db m286629) HM
Already a hotel and theater owner, Frank D. Bligh built this building, which contained as many as ten separate shop spaces, and the adjoining Capitol Theater, which featured a dome reminiscent of that atop the State Capitol. In 1945 Walter C. . . . — — Map (db m287434) HM
Replacing three buildings from the 1870s, this retail block known as the “White Corner” remained relatively unchanged until the late 1940s. The Breyman/Boise family unified two buildings and removed all decorative ornamentation to model the . . . — — Map (db m286619) HM
This Queen Anne style block, designed by Walter D. Pugh, was built by Asahel Bush and Werner Breyman. It housed retail stores on the ground floor with professional offices on the second floor. The original building was twice the size: the northern . . . — — Map (db m286530) HM
This building was constructed on the site of the Tiger Engine Fire House, No. 2, organized in 1869, continuing as a volunteer organization until 1893 when the city created a paid fire department. A garage with concrete floor was featured in this . . . — — Map (db m286464) HM
A Portland actress and singer, Phillips was working in Manila when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Philippines in December, 1941. After the surrender of American and Filipino forces in May of 1942, Phillips became a leader in the underground . . . — — Map (db m287342) HM WM
Located on a prominent downtown commercial intersection, this building has undergone a series of improvements to suit the businesses it has served. It has been owned by many noteworthy Salem names in agriculture and merchandising, including Durbin, . . . — — Map (db m287053) HM
Built by George Guthrie, this theater opened on May 28, 1926, with the silent film “The Volga Boatman” by Cecil B. DeMille. The Elsinore was designed by architect Ellis Lawrence for both stage and film, and movies were often combined with . . . — — Map (db m287435) HM
Salem’s only skyscraper at 11 stories tall, this building was financed by Thomas A. Livesley, a leading hop grower as well as Salem politician and entrepreneur. Elaborate ornamentation decorates the exterior of the eleventh floor upward to the . . . — — Map (db m286972) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m287359) HM
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the National Park Service
in partnership with the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Preservation of this historic property is supported by the . . . — — Map (db m287051) HM
The Gray name and date of construction are written in recessed letters on the upper facade. The three Gray brothers had early Salem hardware and construction businesses, but left Salem about 1907. In 1900 they sold the building to Russell Catlin and . . . — — Map (db m286955) HM
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the National Park Service
in partnership with the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Preservation of this historic property is supported by the . . . — — Map (db m286730) HM
Salem’s Chinatown existed on this block before the construction of this two-story building. Retail shops occupied the first floor while the “New Salem Hotel” provided lodging. John Hughes married Emma Pringle in 1857. The family opneded a mercantile . . . — — Map (db m287441) HM
This Revival style is inscribed with the builder’s name in bas-relief on the upper level. The elder generation of the family operated the “White House Restaurant” on State Street. Son James, part owner, established a furniture, restaurant and real . . . — — Map (db m287048) HM
This building replaced a feed store and livery of the 1880s, but was storing “junk” according to records of 1921. Since horse and carriage days had passed by the time of this construction, Frank and Emelia Meredith constructed this for an auto . . . — — Map (db m286461) HM
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by National Park Service
in partnership with the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Preservation of this historic property is supported by the . . . — — Map (db m287185) HM
This Douglas-fir was raised from seed carried to the moon by astronaut Stuart Roosa of the Apollo 14 space mission in 1971. It was the first "Moon Tree" to be planted in Oregon and was planted here by Governor Bob Straub on Arbor Day, April 30, 1976 . . . — — Map (db m286377) HM
This Commercial-style structure was part of the Breyman family’s “White Corner Building,” replacing four wood-frame buildings. Typical in Salem’s downtown, the lower-level storefront has changed over time, with the original architectural features . . . — — Map (db m286658) HM
In August 1945, World War II ended and a spirit was born. The brave men and women who served, returned home and defined the "Greatest Generation." These heroes shined a beacon of hope to the world and built America into the great nation it is. . . . — — Map (db m286748) HM WM
George Pearce was associated with Wade, Pearce & Company. His daughters acquired the site from the company in 1918, but did not construct this Modernistic building until 1940. The sisters were Salem educators: Helen was the first woman graduate of . . . — — Map (db m286656) HM
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by National Park Service
in partnership with the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Preservation of this historic property is supported by the . . . — — Map (db m287176) HM
Originally built in 1860 as a rooming house, Charles T. Pomeroy and A. A. Keene purchased the building and remodeled it into two retail stores. A central staircase with skylight divides the two stores. Substantial integrity of design has been . . . — — Map (db m287052) HM
If you walk just a couple of blocks further west, you will end up at Riverfront Park, one of Salem’s most well-loved parks. Now you might go to the park to enjoy Salem’s Riverfront Carousel or the World Beat Festival, but before the park . . . — — Map (db m286728) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m286720) HM
The second floor retains the architectural integrity of the Roth Company Grocery Store which operated here through the 1920s, while the YMCA occupied the second floor. In the 1930s, the Roth Company Grocery moved, becoming the Willamette Grocery . . . — — Map (db m286790) HM
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
and is subject to the provisions of the Oregon Special Assessment Program
ORS . . . — — Map (db m286508) HM
Salem’s Chinatown was once located right where you are standing. This area was the center of a vibrant community that made up over 10 percent of the city’s population around the year 1900. There were traditional Chinese medicine shops, dry goods . . . — — Map (db m287062) HM
First mounted on a tower behind the 200 block of North High Street. It was then moved to the city hall in 1897. This 2000 lb. bell was used to call Salem firefighters to fires from 1882 to 1924. — — Map (db m286376) HM
Salem has a long history with theater – the Reed Opera House was originally built in 1869, though it was only a theater for a few short years. Investors built many theaters throughout the city and from 1900 to 1930, there were four main . . . — — Map (db m287249) HM
Notice the erased name above the entrance. Arriving in Salem in the early 1890s, the Salvation Army activities revolved around practicing Christian principles, especially charity. They became recognized as one of the leading religious groups . . . — — Map (db m286468) HM
The earliest building on this site sold “agricultural implements” according to an 1869 newspaper. Reuben Boise bought it in 1890 and sold it to his daughter, Mae Lauterman in 1910. By the mid-1920s, one half of the building was a wholesale cigar . . . — — Map (db m286470) HM
This Italianate building of 23 bays originally extended south to the end of the block. Wilbur Boothby most likely designed and built the entire Eldridge Block. This building has been occupied by a Greenbaum's family business since 1900. The present . . . — — Map (db m286651) HM
Only 70 feet of this Italianate building remains, the northern, two-story section of a five-story business block. The cast iron decoration is believed to be the oldest of its kind in Oregon. It was built by Asa McCully and John L. Starkey who had . . . — — Map (db m286634) HM
Joseph Holman 1815-1880
In 1840, Joseph Holman arrived in what is now called Oregon–the same year Methodist Missionaries began constructing the first framed buildings in Salem. Almira Phelps, one of his missionaries who arrived on the ship . . . — — Map (db m287489) HM
A diverse coalition secured voting rights for many Oregon women in 1912 & ratification of the 19th Amendment here in January 1920. — — Map (db m286421) HM
The Italianate style on the second level of this building retains its 1870s construction. Originally a harness-making shop, it became Holland Bakery in 1910. When Samuel Adolph and his brother-in-law Edward Rostein opened their Real Estate and . . . — — Map (db m286471) HM
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by National Park Service
in partnership with the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Preservation of this historic property is supported by the . . . — — Map (db m287183) HM
This area, once named tchampuick, the 'place of yampah' was the traditional homeland of the Tualatin Kalapuya tribe. Fur trappers first arrived here by canoe in 1811, and they found lush open prairies bordering the Willamette River. In 1830, . . . — — Map (db m114307) HM
In memory of Oregon's first Catholic missionary and Archbishop The Most Reverend F. N. Blanchet dedicated to the place of the first holy sacrifice of the mass offered up in Oregon, January 6, 1839 — — Map (db m259461) HM
Willamette Post was established in December 1813 on a knoll just east of this location by employees of the North West Company, a Montreal based fur-trading company. During the ensuing years the two-room log cabin, also known as Fort Kalapuya, served . . . — — Map (db m114308) HM
Platted March 8, 1871 by H. L. Turner with the building of the railroad to California. Site of Turner Flouring Mills. First rural free delivery in Oregon made from the Turner Post Office, October 16, 1897, under George F. Robertson, Postmaster. — — Map (db m63938) HM
In Honor Of
Madame Marie Dorion
Courageous Pioneer
Devoted Ioway Mother
Early Oregon Settler
At this her final resting place
September 6, 1850 — — Map (db m114350) HM
Born about 1786 - Died 1850
Symbolic of Faith, Loyalty and Leadership
Indian Guide for Wilson Price Hunt Party
Mother of First White Child
Born in the Oregon Territory - 1811 — — Map (db m114351) HM
