PlacesPages: Salem Government #1: Oregon State Capitol

900 Court Street NE

Oregon State Capitol on September 4, 2006

Oregon City was Oregon's first territorial capitol. In 1850 the capitol was shifted to Salem, where it has remained, except for a short stay in Corvallis in 1855. Oregon’s first Capitol building was built in 1854 at a cost of $40,000. It had a short existence as on December 30, 1855 a fire broke out in the unfinished northeast corner. The fire spread, resulting in a complete loss of the building and its contents. The Legislature was in session at the time and started meeting in the Holman Building on the corner of Ferry and Commercial Streets, which would serve as the State Capitol until a new Capitol was completed in 1876. The Secretary of State and State Treasurer also had their offices in the Holman Building from 1857 to 1876. The Governor's office and the State Supreme Court were located in the Nesmith Building, just across Ferry Street from the Holman Building.

Historical Photos:
Oregon State Capitol, 1855 (Salem Public Library)
Oregon State Capitol (Oregon State Library)
Oregon State Capitol (Oregon State Library)

In 1857, the people of the Oregon Territory voted to write a constitution and petition the United States for admittance as a state (the proposal had been previously voted down three times). Oregon elected a state government in 1858, with John Whitaker as governor, without waiting for Congress's decision, which was delayed by conflicts between northern and southern states. Oregon was admitted as a state on February 14, 1859, and word was sent by overland express from St. Louis to San Francisco, where the steamer Brother Jonathan delivered the message to Portland early on March 15 and it went by horseback on to Salem, where the announcement was made from the Nesmith Building downtown. In 1864, Salem became the official state capitol by popular vote.

Old Oregon State Capitol

Construction of a new Capitol building, designed by architect Justice F. Krumbein, was authorized by the State Legislature in 1872. Ground was broken in May of 1873 and the cornerstone was laid on October 8, 1973. The building was constructed using bricks made by convicts at the Oregon State Penitentiary. The building was completed and occupied on August 26, 1876. Construction cost approximately $325,000. Like many State Capitols, the building was patterned loosely after the Capitol in Washington D.C., though not all of the architectural features were originally included. The porticoes with their Corinthian columns, with fluted veneer facings made of Douglas County limestone, were not added until 1888, and the massive copper dome, supported by hollow metal girders, was not constructed until 1893. After completion of the dome, the total cost had risen to $500,000. The original plans also called for a tower at each end of the building, but these were never built.

Interior of the House of Representatives chamber.
Postcard Photograph from the collection of Bob & Helen Tompkins

Oregon State Capitol on fire, April 25, 1935.

On April 25, 1935, a fire started in the basement of the east wing of the Capitol building. A strong updraft was created by stair and elevator wells, the rotunda, and the hollow girders that supported the dome. This caused noticeable smoke to be visible coming from the dome, and also allowed the fire to spread quickly. Area residents were able to save furniture, records, equipment and files from the first floor, and a few records and other items from the other floors, before the rapidly advancing fire engulfed the building. Only the exterior walls were left standing after the fire was extinguished.

Oregon State Capitol on September 4, 2006

Construction of the current Capitol building was authorized in 1935 at a special session of the State Legislature. The building was designed by the Trowbridge & Livingstone architectural firm, with Francis Keally as associate architect and the Whitehouse & Church firm of Portland as Oregon associates.

Oregon State Capitol on September 4, 2006

The Capitol is built of white Vermont marble and bronze, and features modern Greek architecture with severely simple exterior lines. As built, the building was 395 feet long and 162 feet wide, with a usable area of 131,750 square feet. the main building is 53 feet high, while the top of the tower is 128 feet high. From the top of the tower, Cascade Mountains Jefferson, Hood, Adams and St. Helens are visible on clear days.

Oregon State Capitol on September 4, 2006

Mounted on the top of the tower is Ulric Ellerhusen's golden Pioneer statue, which brings the total height to 173 feet and an elevation of 337 feet above sea level, making it the second tallest building and second highest point in Salem, after the steeple spire of the First United Methodist Church.

Oregon State Capitol Dome on September 4, 2006

The capitol building was occupied on July 2, 1938 and was dedicated on October 1, 1938. It was fully completed in 1939 at a cost of $2,500,000.

Oregon State Capitol at Night on March 8, 2006

The Capitol building's dedication plaque reads as follows:

THE ERECTION OF THIS BUILDING WAS
AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
AT ITS SPECIAL SESSION IN 1935
IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF
GOVERNOR CHARLES H. MARTIN
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
HENRY L. CORBETT
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
HOWARD F. LATOURETTE
MEMBERS OF THE CAPITOL COMMISSION
CHAIRMAN JOHN A. M^cLEAN - EUGENE
VICE-CHAIRMAN H. H. OLINGER - SALEM

T. H. BANFIELD                    GEORGE A. MARSHALL
                        PORTLAND                                    BAKER
ERNEST C. DALTON           ROBERT W. SAWYER
                        ST. HELENS                                   BEND
HORACE H. LAKE                WARREN H. TREECE
                        PORTLAND                                    PORTLAND
GEORGE R. LEWIS             HELEN BURRELL MOORHIES
                        PENDLETON                                   MEDFORD
SECRETARY                                 ALTON JOHN BASSETT
LEGAL ADVISOR                                    RALPH E. MOODY
TECHNICAL ADVISOR                               CARL F. GOULD

THE CAPITOL WAS DEDICATED AND
OPENED TO PUBLIC USE IN THE YEAR 1938
TROWBRIDGE & LIVINGSTON                             ARCHITECTS
FRANCIS KEALLY                              ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT
WHITEHOUSE & CHURCH                    OREGON ASSOCIATES
ROSS B. HAMMOND INCORPORATED                     BUILDERS

Oregon State Capitol Dedication Plaque on December 22, 2006