Salem Historic Landmarks Commission

01/06/2026

The first week of the New Year, on January 5, 1885, there was a train wreck just south of the first Salem Train Depot as it was crossing the wooden bridge over south Mill Creek during a snowstorm. While the steam engine made it over the bridge, the passenger coaches derailed and tipped on their side. Learn more in the week’s Salem History Moment: https://rss.com/podcasts/salem-history-moment/2425487

12/24/2025

Being a patient in the hospital never is easy, but imagine having to be evacuated because of flooding. It happened just before Christmas in 1964 in Salem. Story in the comments.

12/16/2025

It's been easy to commute this December, with warmer-than-normal temperatures. That wasn't the case December, 9, 1919, when 22 inches of snow fell and stopped streetcars in their tracks.

11/12/2025

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served. Pictured: veterans of the Spanish-American war in their uniforms, standing at attention in Salem in an undated photo.

09/16/2025

A classic look returns to downtown Salem! See the original sign on the Elsinore in the comments.

The blade is back!
With Phase 1 of our Second Century Capital Campaign complete—bringing fresh paint, restored tilework, new exterior lighting, and the long-awaited return of our iconic blade sign—the Elsinore Theatre turns its focus inward. Phase 2 will enhance the heart of the theater: where audiences gather, stories unfold, and memories are made. More details coming soon...

09/12/2025

The Salem Art Fair is under way. Learn about how it got its start:

The first Salem Art Fair sponsored by the Salem Art Association was celebrated in 1949. The first Art Fairs in Salem were celebrated at Willson Park, near the Capitol Building before they were held at Bush’s Pasture Park. However, before SAA’s Art Fair there was an annual Salem Art Fair held in ...

08/21/2025

If you wanted to learn more about your property's history, here's an opportunity!

Last Chance to Sign-up! ⏰
Join the WHC Research Staff for a Master Class diving deep into the strategies and resources for tracing YOUR historic property. Open to all skill levels. We’ll cover practical methods for investigating historic properties using maps, deeds, tax records, newspapers and other resources. Sign up at this link: https://www.willametteheritage.org/historic-property-research/ or click the link in our bio.

08/11/2025

Today's (Aug. 11) temperature is forecast to be 102 in Salem. How about a cool photo of the Joseph Holman House (it was on the north side of Court Street between Cottage and Winter streets NE) covered in snow in 1887?

07/30/2025

Salem History Moment: Prohibition in Oregon. 100 years ago this week, on July 29, 1925, the first man from Marion County entered prison for violating prohibition laws. Learn more about Prohibition in Oregon as City of Salem’s Historic Preservation Officer hosts Salem History Moment, a podcast that focuses on the people, places and events in Salem’s past. https://rss.com/podcasts/salem-history-moment/2136710/

07/07/2025

The lastest Salem History Moment spotlights Guide Dogs for the Blind. Guide Dogs for the Blind is the Largest guide dog school in North America. Since their founding in 1942, they have raised and trained over 16,000 Guide dogs. Their services are provided free of charge to their Blind clients, including personalized training and ongoing support. Their work improves mobility for their clients, empowering people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to make their way in the world. If you want to learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind, please visit guidedogs.com. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7l9pcOmZJ3jEe2m9KK19G0?si=b1GcxnLoQ0-U6_IPksyN5A

Salem’s Doggie Dash will be held at Salem Riverfront Park on Saturday July 12, 2025. For more information please visit https://secure.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/Static/salem

Salem History Moment · Episode

06/25/2025

An archaeological dig at Willamette University gives insight into the property's past.

Shoes, slate and pottery have been found around the approximate site of the former Indian Manual Labor Training School, which operated in the mid-1800s.