The Grand Hotel - Salem, Oregon - Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This is one of eight "Welcome Information Centers" placed in downtown Salem, describing the history of important landmarks. This marker is at the southwest corner of Ferry and Liberty streets. The marker notes that at this location, before construction of the Grand Hotel in 2005, was the site of Chemeketa House, built in 1870 as Oregon's "premier hotel." Later renamed "Marion Hotel" in 1911, it was an important place for political deal-making.

The text is as follows:

"A GRAND TRADITION

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 featured 17-foot ceilings in the lobby, hot and cold running water, speaking tubes, and strategically placed "comfort stations with self-acting water closets" throughout the building. Another particularly modern luxury was a telegraph in each guest room, catering to the business traveler well over a century before the dawn of the Internet age.

Renamed the Marion Hotel in 1911, it was well on its way to being the unofficial center for state and local "backroom" politics. During its 101-year history, the ornate basement lounge was the watering hole of choice for legislators, lobbyists, government officials and business people. Many profound decisions that shaped local, state and even national politics took place at "The Marion."

THE MARION derived its name from Marion County, which was named after Brigadier General Francis Marion, Patriot and hero of the American Revolution. This area was originally named the Champooick (and later Champoeg) District of the Oregon Territory, with Salem serving as the Territorial Capital. Upon statehood, it was renamed Marion County. Today, Salem is both state capital and county seat.

After surviving numerous fires over the years, the Marion Hotel burned down on November 12, 1971. A new hotel was built in its place by the Red Lion chain and later sold, then demolished to make way for the Salem Conference Center and The Grand Hotel, which opened March 1, 2005 as part of a Downtown Urban Renewal public/private partnership project.

1859: Salem population 1,139 - Oregon becomes the 33rd State in the Union.
1959: Salem population 49,142 - Oregon celebrates 100 Years of Statehood.
2009: Salem population 156,955 - Oregon celebrates 150 Years of Statehood."

On the backside of this marker is a "You are Here" map, designed to orient visitors to Salem's downtown historic district.

Please upload a favorite photograph you took of the waymark. Although visiting this waymark in person is the only thing required of you to receive credit for your visit, taking the time to add this information is greatly appreciated.

Be creative.