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Salem, Oregon

Located in Marion County, Oregon, Salem was established in 1842. Salem's name comes from the Hebrew 'Shalom' meaning peace. The Oregon State Capitol has burned down twice—the current building is the third.
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Founded 1842 | Population 182,620 | Peak 182,620 (2024) | County Marion County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Salem, Oregon

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1842 Jason Lee Establishes Mission Settlement: Methodist missionary founds settlement that becomes Salem and Oregon's oldest university, Willamette.
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1851 Becomes Oregon Territory Capital: Salem designated permanent capital after rivalry with Oregon City.
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1876 Oregon State Hospital Opens: State asylum opens; later filmed for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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1935 Art Deco Capitol Building Completed: Third capitol building finished with golden Oregon Pioneer statue after two predecessors burned.
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2017 Solar Eclipse Totality Draws Crowds: Salem in path of totality for Great American Eclipse; hundreds of thousands visit.
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Latest News in Salem

Jan 1, 1970
Oregon Democrats Block ICE Notification for Felony Convicts
Oregon Democratic senators have unanimously blocked a bill that would have mandated state authorities to notify U.S. Immigration a…
Jan 1, 1970
New Utah Bill Would Allow Some Terminally Ill Patients Right Die
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – On November 17, 2015, Utah lawmakers took a bold step toward changing how the state handles end-of-life c…
Jan 1, 1970
Oregon School Pumpkin Carving Party Suspected Norovirus Outbreak
Salem, Oregon (November 10, 2015) – A festive pumpkin-carving party at a local elementary school turned into a health headache l…
Jan 1, 1970
Oregon Shooters Father has Just One Question Following Massacre Video
Roseburg, Oregon (October 11, 2015) – In the wake of the devastating mass shooting at Umpqua Community College just days earlier…
Jan 1, 1970
Oregon Woman Explains why she Will no Longer Wear Leggings
Portland, Oregon (September 12, 2015) — In a story that quickly caught fire online, a local woman named Sarah Thompson shared he…
Jan 1, 1970
Man Publicly Decapitates Himself Writes Message his Van Photos
Roseburg, Oregon – On a somber September 11, 2015, a man took his own life in a horrifying public act that stunned the community…

Complete Historical Timeline

1842 Culture
Jason Lee Establishes Mission Settlement
1851 Government
Becomes Oregon Territory Capital
1876 Culture
Oregon State Hospital Opens
1935 Architecture
Art Deco Capitol Building Completed
2017 Science
Solar Eclipse Totality Draws Crowds

Did You Know?

1
Salem's name comes from the Hebrew 'Shalom' meaning peace.
2
The Oregon State Capitol has burned down twice—the current building is the third.
3
Willamette University (1842) is the oldest university west of the Mississippi.
4
Salem is located in Marion County, Oregon.
5
Salem has a population of approximately 182,620.

Famous People from Salem, Oregon

JZ
John Zerzan
Writer, Historian · Born Aug 10, 1943 · Age 82
JK
Justin Kirk
Actor, Stage Actor · Born May 28, 1969 · Age 56
CB
Carmella Bing
Pornographic Actor · Born Oct 21, 1981 · Age 44
AG
Alfred Carlton Gilbert
Entrepreneur, Inventor · Born Feb 15, 1884 · Died Jan 24, 1961 (age 76)
DA
Debbie Armstrong
Alpine Skier, Cross-Country Skier · Born Dec 6, 1963 · Age 62

Other Cities in Oregon

View all Oregon cities →
P
Portland
Pop. 652,503
E
Eugene
Pop. 178,961
G
Gresham
Pop. 115,000
H
Hillsboro
Pop. 110,000
B
Bend
Pop. 108,000
B
Beaverton
Pop. 98,000
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