Which Way to History? - Salem, Oregon
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member ddtfamily
N 44° 56.640 W 123° 02.111
10T E 497224 N 4976730
Sign providing an overview of historic sites in downtown Salem
Waymark Code: WMGKAA
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 03/15/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
Views: 1

Click a photo to enlarge

This is one of eight historic markers erected in and around downtown Salem, providing information about points of interest. This particular sign is more general in nature than the others and it describes the sites that can be found in each direction. The marker text reads:

"WHICH WAY TO HISTORY?

South: Walk right into Salem's Downtown Historic District. It's full of shops, restaurants, historic buildings...and new places to discover!

West: Head toward the Willamette River and Riverfront Park. You'll find the Union Street Railroad Bridge, now used only by bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the river to West Salem, Wallace Marine Park and Edgewater District.

East: You'll find the State Capitol, State Buildings, Historic Churches, Willamette University (the oldest university this side of the Mississippi), a Historic Train Station and the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill.

North: Will take you to Salem's oldest building still in its original location, and an adjacent site commemorating early settlers along Mill Creek."

Marker Photo Captions:

"DOWNTOWN: Liberty Street in Downtown Salem in 1939. Each one of the buildings in this photograph are still there!

RIVERFRONT: Built in 1913, the Union Street Railroad Bridge no longer allows trains. Today, foot and bike traffic use it to cross the Willamette River.

STATE CAPITOL: A city with a long musical tradition, the Salem "Cherrians" pose in 1924. The old Capitol dome, which was destroyed by fire in 1935, is seen in the background.

EARLY OREGON: The brick building, built in 1860, was the original State Treasury and also a general store. Both were run by John D. Boon, the first State Treasurer."

Click a photo to enlarge

The marker is located on the corner of Marion & High streets in front of Kohl's. On the opposite side of this marker is a "You are Here" map to help navigators.

Historic Topic: Pioneer

Group Responsible for placement: City Government

Marker Type: City

Region: Willamette Valley

County: Marion

State of Oregon Historical Marker "Beaver Board": Not listed

Web link to additional information: Not listed

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