Clock Tower

Clock tower on Willamette University campus alongside the Mark O. Hatfield Library (former governor, state and U.S. Senator).

Doorway

Toward the Heavens

The steeple of the First Presbyterian Church on Winter St. located just west of the State Capitol Mall.

Beaver Money

This isn't the best photo, but this keystone is high up on an historic downtown building featured [here] and I had to take it from across the street. It holds a representation of the $10 gold piece "Beaver coin", minted in 1849 by the provisional government of Oregon. The Beaver money was used until the establishment of an United States mint in San Francisco, when U.S. gold and silver coins made their use unnecessary.

On the front side of the coin above the beaver were the letters "K.M.T.R.C.S.", the initials of the group of men who purchased the machinery, made the dies and minted the coins. Beneath the beaver, "O.T. 1849." (Oregon Territory). Oregon became a state ten years later.

A couple years ago one of the $5 coins was sold for $125K. [Read Story]

Calvary

Calvary Baptist is a lovely old red brick building on Commercial St. a few blocks south of Mission St. I was inspired by Birmingham Daily Photo though we do not have church buildings quite so ornate and beautiful.

Royal House

This beautiful Queen Anne-style house sits along the west boundary of Bush Pasture Park.

The following information is from the Salem Historical Quarterly website:

"In 1882 the Rev. James H. B. Royal bought the whole block across from Bush’s pasture for $900. The house was built by Emma’s brother, Holly Austin Cornell. It had to be large enough to accommodate boarders as Rev. Royal was blind and could not work. Most of the boarders were teachers at the Lincoln School, where St. Paul’s Episcopal Church now stands. The house was purchased by Dr. James Moore in 1909 and a letter written in 1973 by his daughter contains memories of her childhood there. The letter was sent to Don and Verna Johnson, owners at that time who remodeled the house finding family records of previous tenants wedged in the bricks of the living room fireplace. The present owners have carefully preserved historical records of the house."

[edit] Nadine & Roger Heusser are the current owners and have cared for the house since 2001. Thanks goes to Ron and Jill Le Blanc who are credited with it's restoration. [Thanks to Stephanie Matlock Allen of the Salem Heritage Network for this additional information.]

Light of Hope

St. Paul's Church on S. Liberty.

House to Office II

This beautiful house was moved to it's new home on S. 12th St. and restored. It is one of two vintage houses used as the medical offices of Dr. David West. The ceiling of the room at the front (left) has the most intriguing and complex wallpapering. Unfortunately the building was closed the day I was there. But, I will return to get a few shots and attempt to learn it's history.

House to Office

Salem has many older houses all over town which have been converted to offices. These two houses of the Bungalow or Craftsman styles (correct me if wrong) on Liberty St. SE are beautiful examples.

Stairway and Stained Glass

Love this opaque stained glass.

Made with Heart

Stone wall around the State Forestry Office building, erected in 1938 by the WPA.