Salem is the capital city of the state of Oregon, and it has a location in the heart of the Willamette Valley along the Willamette River. Salem’s history dates back to the early 19th century when it was founded in 1842 by Methodist missionaries led by Jason Lee. The city was originally named Chimikiti, a Kalapuya word meaning meeting or resting place, but rewritten Chemeketa by the missionaries. The place was initially also called Mill, before it was renamed Salem. Salem became the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1851 and was incorporated as a city in 1857.

The most famous construction and a landmark in Salem is the Oregon State Capitol. It was completed in 1938 as the third of its kind in Oregon after the second burned in 1935. The Oregon State Capitol is a building which stands as an excellent example of Modernistic design and thereby a new interpretation of the classic state capitol designs. The Capitol features a distinctive dome and beautifully landscaped grounds, including the Walk of Flags and the Wall of Water fountain. You can visit the place and take a guided tour to learn about the legislative process of Oregon and admire the impressive interior with murals and sculptures.

You can walk in Salem Downtown Historic District close to the Oregon State Capitol. It is a district with several heritage buildings centered along State Street and Commercial Street. One of the highlights in the area is the Reed Opera House, built by Cyrus Adam Reed 1869-1870. The building should have housed the Oregon State Legislature, the State Supreme Court and the State Library, but was converted into shops and a large venue for operas, concerts and other social events. Among the many visitors were presidents Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 and Benjamin Harrison in 1891.

The Elsinore Theatre, built in 1926, is a beautiful example of Tudor Gothic architecture. The theatre was built for silent movies and vaudeville and it hosts a variety of performances today. The grand interior is renovated and impresses like in the 1920s. From downtown you can walk to the Willamette River and relax in the Riverfront City Park. The park gives a break from the city and here you find the sternwheeler Willamette Queen.

Another must-see is the Historic Deepwood Estate. It is a stunning Queen Anne Victorian home built to the southeast of downtown Salem in 1894. Deepwood was designed by architect William C. Knighton, and the estate features gabled roofs, intricate woodwork, and beautifully maintained gardens designed by the renowned landscape architects Lord & Schryver. You can visit the estate and enjoy guided tours where you will get a glimpse of Victorian era Salem.

If you are interested in Salem’s industrial history, you should visit the Willamette Heritage Center. It is located not far from downtown on the site of the historic Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The heritage center preserves and interprets the history of the mill and its impact on the region. You will find several historic buildings on the grounds of the Willamette Heritage Center, including the 1841 Jason Lee House and the 1847 Methodist Parsonage, thereby adding a look at Salem’s early days to the visit.