Salem, Oregon

USA / Oregon / Salem /
 city, capital city of state/province/region, county seat
(The name Salem is derived from the semitic words (Arabic salam [سَلاَمٌ] and Hebrew shalom [שָׁלוֹם]) for peace.)

City with a population of 154,510 in 2008. The Capital of Oregon and county seat of Marion County. Originally settled by the Kalapuyan Native Americans, who named the area Chemeketa, meaning "meeting or resting place." Whites began arriving here in 1812. A Methodist mission was established in 1840. The Oregon Institute, the first school for European-Americans west of the Mississippi, was built here in 1842, derived from the Methodist Mission. The area was known as the Institute until 1850 when the trustees ordered the area to be surveyed and a townsite to be laid out; the area was renamed Salem, derived from the Semitic words for peace. It served as the territorial capital of Oregon from 1851 to 1855. It became capital again later in 1855. The city was incorporated in 1857. Upon statehood in 1859 it became state capital and has remained so ever since.

Also known as The Cherry City, due to the past importance of the cherry industry in the area.

Website: www.cityofsalem.net/
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Oregon
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   44°55'57"N   123°1'40"W

Comments

  • Highest concentration of welfare recipients per capita in Oregon!
  • Wow. What a bunch of jerks. Salem isn't that bad. I'll agree it isn't the greatest ever but I certainly have been in much worse. I would also disagree with the welfare statement. That actually seem to apply more to Portland.