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60-799: After the establishment of the Territory of Oregon , the mint producing the coins became an entirely private enterprise continuing its operations until Governor Joseph Lane ruled the operation unconstitutional in September 1849. (Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution declares the mintage of coins to be one of the enumerated powers of the Congress .) The opening of the United States Mint branch in San Francisco, California made

120-587: A Dragon Boat race similar to the ones held during the nearby Rose Festival in Portland . The Salem Art Association sponsors the annual Salem Art Fair and Festival, which takes place at Bush's Pasture Park during the summer. Its displays, interactive exhibits, food, and performances attract thousands of visitors each year. The Bite of Salem, held in July at the Riverfront Park, is an event similar to others such as

180-609: A governor , a marshal, a secretary , an attorney, and a three-judge supreme court . Judges on the court also sat as trial level judges as they rode circuit across the territory. All of these offices were filled by appointment by the President of the United States. The two-chamber Oregon Territorial Legislature was responsible for passing laws, with seats in both the upper-chamber council and lower-chamber house of representatives filled by local elections held each year. Taxation took

240-613: A bid to diversify its economic base, Salem attracted a number of computer-related manufacturing plants in the 1990s. In November 2003, the Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Group (SUMCO), one of these arrivals, announced it would be closing its two silicon wafer plants at the end of 2004, eliminating 620 jobs, and moving production to other plants. Salem is the headquarters of the Oregon Department of Corrections and home to four state correctional facilities, including

300-606: A government, were held in an early pioneer and Native American encampment and later town known as Champoeg, Oregon . These first Champoeg Meetings eventually led to further discussions, and in 1843 the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon . In 1846, the Oregon boundary dispute between the U.S. and Britain was settled with the signing of the Oregon Treaty . The United States federal government left their part of

360-512: A household in the city was $ 38,881, and the median income for a family was $ 46,409. Males had a median income of $ 34,746 versus $ 26,789 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,141. About 10.5% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. Salem is governed using the council–manager government model. The city council consists of eight members who are elected from single member wards. The mayor

420-528: A large supply of gold and silver U.S. currency available, playing a part in the demise of the "Beaver Coins". The primarily American settler population of the Oregon Country , based in the Willamette Valley since the late 1830s, lacked a stable currency. A variety of items were held valid by the Provisional Government of Oregon , including specie from Mexico and Peru , beaver skins and wheat. After

480-509: A male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of

540-472: A remnant of its days as a showcase for silent films, in the early days of cinema. Grand Theater is newly renovated and is the home of Enlightened Theatrics, a professional theatre company and hosts the Salem Progressive Film Series on the third Tuesday nine months of the year. Salem Capital Pride (Salem's yearly Gay Pride Event), hosted by Aundrea Smith (Author of: "Your Local Queer"; 2019)

600-527: Is Salem's primary drinking water source. Other important streams that pass through Salem are Mill Creek , the Mill Race, Pringle Creek , and Shelton Ditch . Smaller streams in the southern and southeastern parts of the city include Clark Creek, Jory Creek, Battle Creek, Croisan Creek, and Claggett Creek, while Glen Creek and Brush Creek flow through West Salem . Elevation within the city limits ranges from about 120 to 800 feet (37 to 244 m). Salem contains

660-470: Is elected in a citywide vote. The current mayor is Chris Hoy , a Democrat who took office in 2022. The following are Salem's city councilors: State government is Salem's largest employer, but the city also serves as a hub for the area farming communities and is a major agricultural food processing center. It lies along the I-5 corridor and is within an hour's drive of Oregon's largest city, Portland. Salem

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720-628: Is held in early August. The personal house and garden of landscape architects Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver , known as Gaiety Hollow , is on the National Register of Historic Places. Their firm Lord & Schryver designed the gardens of Historic Deepwood Estate . In addition to the Oregon State Capitol and adjacent Willson Park, Salem's downtown contains the Willamette Heritage Center , Hallie Ford Museum of Art ,

780-528: Is home to Willamette University , Corban University , and Chemeketa Community College . The State of Oregon is the largest public employer in the city, and Salem Health is the largest private employer. Transportation includes public transit from Cherriots (legally known as Salem Area Mass Transit District), Amtrak service , as well as limited commercial and non-commercial air travel at McNary Field . Major roads include Interstate 5 , Oregon Route 99E , and Oregon Route 22 , which connects West Salem across

840-651: Is nicknamed the "Cherry City", because of the past importance of the local cherry -growing industry. The first cherry festival in Salem was held in 1903 and was an annual event, with parades and the election of a cherry queen, until sometime after World War I. The event was briefly revived as the Salem Cherryland Festival for several years in the late 1940s. Salem is located in the north-central Willamette Valley , in Marion and Polk counties. The 45th Parallel (roughly

900-598: Is recognizable by its distinctive pioneer statue atop the capitol dome that is plated with gold-leaf and officially named the Oregon Pioneer . Agriculture has always been important to Salem, and the city has historically recognized and celebrated it in a number of ways. In 1861, Salem was chosen as the permanent site of the Oregon State Fair by the Oregon State Agricultural Association. Salem

960-601: Is the capital city of the U.S. state of Oregon , and the county seat of Marion County . It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River , which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood of West Salem is in Polk County. Salem was founded in 1842, became the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1851, and

1020-602: Is the Oregon State Fair at the end of August through Labor Day. Located in the Oregon State Fairgrounds in North Salem, the fair offers exhibits, competitions and carnival rides. Other events such as concerts, horse shows and rodeos take place at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center throughout the year. The Mid-Valley Video Festival offers local, national and international independent films in theaters throughout

1080-594: Is the home of Kettle Foods , Inc., a maker of potato chips since 1982. Kettle employs 700 in Salem and at a plant in Bowthorpe , England. NORPAC Foods, Inc., is a large food processor in Salem and elsewhere in Marion County. Its brands include Flav-R-Pac and West-Pac frozen fruits and vegetables, and Santiam canned vegetables. Oregon Fruit Products, Inc., has been canning blackberries , marionberries and other fruits in Salem since 1935, with Oregon as its brand name. In

1140-472: The 2020 census , there were 175,535 people, and 64,426 households in the city. The population density was 3,596.8 people per square mile. The racial make up of the city was 75.3% White , 1.4% African American , 1.0% Native American , 3.3% Asian , 1.8% Pacific Islander , and 10.2% two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 22.4% of the population. 24.2% of the population were under 18, and 6.2% were under 5. People over 65 made up 14.6% of

1200-563: The Oregon State Penitentiary , Oregon's only maximum-security prison. Numerous projects are underway to increase the supply of housing in the downtown core. These projects will provide upscale, low- and high-rise condominium and office space. According to Salem's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the 2022 fiscal year, the top employers in the area are: Salem has 17 recognized neighborhood associations, which are independent groups that receive administrative support from

1260-512: The Oregon Trail beginning in 1841. At that time, the only governments that existed in the Oregon Country were the individual local Native Americans communities, as no one nation held dominion over the territory. A group of settlers in the Willamette Valley began meeting in 1841 to discuss organizing a government for the area. These earliest documented discussions, mostly concerning forming

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1320-803: The Salem Hospital ), a Wednesday Farmers' Market hosted on campus at Chemeketa Community College, a Thursday Market in West Salem, and a Holiday Gift Market in December. There is also an indoor Saturday Public Market which is open all year. The annual World Beat Festival, held in June, is sponsored by the nonprofit Salem Multicultural Institute. The event lasts for two days and is held at the Riverfront Park . It features international crafts, music, dance, food, and folklore from every continent, and in recent years has held

1380-583: The Territorial Governor Joseph Lane arrived in Oregon. Machinery used to create the coins was created by Rector and made of "old wagon tires and such scraps..." Designed after the North West Company trade tokens, the $ 5 and $ 10 Beaver Coins weighed 130 and 260 grains respectively. An estimated 8,850 coins of either denomination were produced until the closure of the mint. It was argued by

1440-497: The peddlar's rate of $ 10 per year to a $ 60 annual fee on firms with more than $ 20,000 of capital. Oregon City served as the seat of government from 1848 to 1851, followed by Salem from 1851 to 1855. Corvallis served briefly as the capital in 1855, followed by a permanent return to Salem later that year. In 1853, as a result of the Monticello Convention and its approval by Congress and President Millard Fillmore ,

1500-573: The Bite of Oregon in Portland. The event consists of a weekend of local restaurants in Salem offering samples of their menus to patrons in a festival atmosphere, with live entertainment and benefiting local charities. In the summer, Chef's Nite Out is a wine and food benefit held for Marion-Polk Food Share. Oregon Wine & Food Festival takes place at that state's fairgrounds in January. The largest event in Salem

1560-570: The Oregon Territory was explored by Europeans first by sea. The first documented voyage of exploration was made in 1777 by the Spanish, and both British and American vessels visited the region not long thereafter. Subsequent land-based exploration by Alexander Mackenzie and the Lewis and Clark Expedition and development of the fur trade in the region strengthened the competing claims of Great Britain and

1620-566: The Provisional Government of the Oregon Territory that "necessity knows no laws". It could also be argued that during the Anglo-American joint occupation of Oregon, the territory was not officially part of either government, and any established government could act as it wished. However, after Oregon was officially organized as a U.S. Territory the coins were clearly unconstitutional. Governor Lane remedied this upon his examination of all

1680-679: The United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon . Originally claimed by several countries (see Oregon Country ), Spanish "El Orejón" was part of the Territorio de Nutca (1789–1795), later in the 19th century, the region was divided between the British Empire and the US in 1846. When established,

1740-583: The United States. The competing interests of the two foremost claimants were addressed in the Treaty of 1818 , which sanctioned a "joint occupation", by British and Americans, of a vast " Oregon Country " (as the American side called it) that comprised the present-day U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, parts of Montana and Wyoming, and the portion of what is now the Canadian province of British Columbia south of

1800-685: The Willamette River via the Marion Street and Center Street bridges. The Native Americans who inhabited the central Willamette Valley at first European contact, the Kalapuya , called the area Chim-i-ki-ti, which means "meeting or resting place" in the Central Kalapuya language (Santiam). When the Methodist Mission moved to the area, they called the new establishment Chemeketa; although it

1860-504: The beginning of the California Gold Rush an estimated 2,000,000 dollars worth of gold entered the Oregon settlements within two years. Disputes often arose during transactions over the value of the gold dust, generally rife with impurities. The Provisional Legislature , after being petitioned by William Rector for the establishment of a mint, gave its approval for the plan. Legislators from Clackamas and Yamhill counties objected to

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1920-591: The bill, stressing the illegality under the U.S. Constitution of private mints. Although the Oregon Exchange Company was a mostly private organization, the legislature appointed the officers to the Company, which included Governor George Abernethy . The proceeds of the mint were intended to fund the expenses from the ongoing Cayuse War . The mint was open on 10 March 1849 in Oregon City, Oregon , eight days after

1980-572: The change to Salem, some people, such as Asahel Bush (editor of the Oregon Statesman ), believed the name should be changed back to Chemeketa. The Vern Miller Civic Center , which houses the city offices and library, has a public space dedicated as the Peace Plaza in recognition of the names by which the city has been known. The first people of European descent arrived in the area as early as 1812; they were animal trappers and food gatherers for

2040-564: The city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 136,924 people, 50,676 households, and 32,331 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,994.0 people per square mile (1,156.0 people/km ). There were 53,817 housing units at an average density of 1,176.8 per square mile (454.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 83.1% White, 1.3% African American, 1.5% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 7.9% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.6% of

2100-446: The city was 79.0% White , 1.5% African American , 1.5% Native American , 2.7% Asian , 0.9% Pacific Islander , 10.1% from other races , and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.3% of the population. There were 57,290 households, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had

2160-487: The city, and suggested adopting an Anglicized version of the Biblical Hebrew word "שָׁלוֹם, Shalom", meaning "peace" (used also as a greeting). The Reverend David Leslie , President of the town's Trustees, also wanted a Biblical name, and suggested using the last five letters of "Jerusalem". Or, the town may be named after Salem, Massachusetts , where Leslie was educated. There were many names suggested, and even after

2220-460: The city. The Salem Film Festival has included feature films that were Oregon premieres. The Salem Repertory Theatre presents shows at the Reed Opera House . The Pentacle Theatre, which features plays and musicals, is located in West Salem. The Elsinore Theatre is a historic landmark featuring recitals, concerts, films, and plays. It has the largest working pipe organ on the west coast,

2280-542: The city. The nonprofit group Salem Community Markets (SCM) operates several farmers' markets in Salem. The largest and most well-known of these is the Salem Saturday Market, which is located north of the Capitol, runs from May to October, and focuses on local products, including art, baked goods, produce, live plants, meat, and other items. Other SCM-run markets include a Monday Market (hosted from May to September at

2340-466: The city. Like most of the Willamette Valley area, Salem has a mediterranean climate ( Köppen Csb ). Rain is heaviest in late fall and throughout winter, and almost all of the annual precipitation falls between October and April, with a dry season from May through September. Light snowfall occurs in winter, but major snows are rare. Mostly cloudy skies and low cloud ceilings are commonplace during

2400-502: The end of the Second Great Awakening (1790–1840), of the 9 churches with regular services in the Oregon Territory, 5 were Catholic , 1 was Baptist , 1 was Congregational , 1 was Methodist , and 1 was Presbyterian . In the 1850 United States census , 10 counties in the Oregon Territory (7 counties in contemporary Oregon and 3 in contemporary Washington ) reported the following population counts: On February 14, 1859,

2460-446: The form of an annual property tax of 0.25% for territorial purposes with an additional county tax not to exceed this amount. This tax was to be paid on all town lots and improvements, mills, carriages, clocks and watches, and livestock; farmland and farm products were not taxed. In addition, a poll tax of 50 cents for every qualified voter under age 60 was assessed and a graduated schedule of merchants' licenses established, ranging from

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2520-617: The fur trading companies in Astoria, Oregon . The first permanent American settlement in the area was the Jason Lee Methodist mission (1840) located in the area north of Salem known as Wheatland . In 1842, the missionaries established the Oregon Institute (the forerunner of Willamette University ) in the area that was to become the site of Salem. In 1844, the mission was dissolved and the town site established. In 1851, Salem became

2580-459: The ground in December 1855. Oregon's second capitol building was completed in 1876 on the site of the original. The Greek Revival -style building was based in part on the U.S. Capitol building . The building received its distinctive copper dome in 1893. On April 25, 1935, this building was also destroyed by fire. The third and current Oregon State Capitol was completed on the same site in 1938. It faces north instead of west like its predecessor, and

2640-640: The halfway point between the North Pole and the Equator ) passes through Salem's city limits. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 48.45 square miles (125.48 km ), of which 47.90 square miles (124.06 km ) is land and 0.55 square miles (1.42 km ) is water. Although the Willamette River flows through Salem, the North Santiam River watershed

2700-492: The lower daily minima. All-time extremes in Salem range from 117 to −12 °F (47 to −24 °C). The coldest afternoon of the year usually falls to 32 °F (0 °C) on the freezing point, whereas the coldest recorded maximum temperature was 16 °F (−9 °C) in three separate months and years. The warmest night on record was 74 °F (23 °C) in July 2006 and the warmest annual night averages 64 °F (18 °C). See or edit raw graph data . As of

2760-498: The parallel 54°40′ north. During the period of joint occupation, most activity in the region outside of the activities of the indigenous people came from the fur trade , which was dominated by the British Hudson's Bay Company . Over time, some trappers began to settle down in the area and began farming, and missionaries started to arrive in the 1830s. Some settlers also began arriving in the late 1830s, and covered wagons crossed

2820-427: The population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 70.7% of the population in 2010, compared to 88.6% in 1990. There were 50,676 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who

2880-512: The population. The gender make up was 49% female and 51% male. The median household income was $ 62,185, and the per capita income was $ 31,610. 14.7% of the population were under the poverty line . As of the census of 2010, there were 154,637 people, 57,290 households, and 36,261 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,228.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,246.5/km ). There were 61,276 housing units at an average density of 1,279.2 per square mile (493.9/km ). The racial makeup of

2940-547: The portion of the territory north of the lower Columbia River and north of the 46th parallel east of the river was organized into the Washington Territory . The Oregon Constitutional Convention was held in 1857 to draft a constitution in preparation for becoming a state, with the convention delegates approving the document in September, and then general populace approving the document in November. In 1850, 10 years after

3000-525: The present-day states of Idaho , Oregon and Washington , as well as those parts of present-day Montana and Wyoming west of the Continental Divide . Its southern border was the 42nd parallel north (the boundary of the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819), and it extended north to the 49th parallel. Oregon City, Oregon , was designated as the first capital. The territorial government consisted of

3060-461: The provisional government's laws, striking only the law calling for the minting of coinage. The formal U.S. Government's reaction to the coins was to buy them up at a premium rate in exchange for U.S. currency. The coins were called up by the San Francisco Mint and taken out of circulation. Territory of Oregon The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of

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3120-443: The rainy season. Salem's mean annual temperature is 54.1 °F (12.3 °C); its annual precipitation is 40.08 inches (1,018 mm), with an average 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) of snow included. However, over a quarter of years receive no snowfall. The state capital is about 47 mi (76 km) south of Portland , but actually has a lower average temperature than that of Portland (54.4 °F or 12.4 °C), due in part to

3180-676: The region unorganized for two years until news of the Whitman massacre reached the United States Congress and helped to facilitate the organization of the region into a U.S. territory. On August 14, 1848, Congress passed the Act to Establish the Territorial Government of Oregon , which created what was officially the Territory of Oregon. The Territory of Oregon originally encompassed all of

3240-412: The territorial capital after it was moved from Oregon City . The capital was moved briefly to Corvallis in 1855, but was moved back to Salem permanently that same year. Salem incorporated as a city in 1857, and with the coming of statehood in 1859, it became the state capital. Oregon has had three capitol buildings in Salem. A two-story state house, which had been occupied for only two months, burned to

3300-406: The territory encompassed an area that included the current states of Oregon, Washington , and Idaho , as well as parts of Wyoming and Montana . The capital of the territory was first Oregon City , then Salem , followed briefly by Corvallis , then back to Salem, which became the state capital upon Oregon's admission to the Union. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the region that became

3360-432: The territory entered the Union as the U.S. state of Oregon within its current boundaries. The remaining eastern portion of the territory (the portions in present-day southern Idaho and western Wyoming) was added to the Washington Territory . 45°30′N 117°00′W  /  45.5°N 117°W  / 45.5; -117 Salem, Oregon Salem ( / ˈ s eɪ l ə m / SAY -ləm )

3420-486: The volcanic Salem Hills in the south and is sandwiched by the 1,000 ft (300 m) Eola Hills directly to the west and the 600 ft (180 m) Waldo Hills to the east. Northern and eastern Salem are less hilly. South and West Salem contain some canyons and are the hilliest areas. The coast range and the Cascades —including Mount Hood , Mount Jefferson , and on the clearest of days, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams in Washington—can be viewed from throughout

3480-466: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males. The median income for

3540-467: Was incorporated in 1857. Salem had a population of 175,535 at the 2020 census , making it the third-most populous city in the state after Portland and Eugene . Salem is the principal city of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area , a metropolitan area that covers Marion and Polk counties and had a combined population of 433,353 at the 2020 census . This area is, in turn, part of the Portland–Vancouver–Salem Combined Statistical Area . The city

3600-404: Was more widely known as the Mill, because of its situation on Mill Creek . When the Oregon Institute was established, the community became known as the institute. When the institute was dissolved, the trustees decided to lay out a town site on the Institute lands. Some possible sources for the name "Salem" include William H. Willson , who in 1850 and 1851 filed the plans for the main part of

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