Salem Government #32: Old Salem City Hall Site

277 Liberty Street NE

Old Salem City Hall Cornerstone Plaque on September 9, 2006

This corner was originally the site of a boarding house. The city of Salem purchased it in 1893 and built the city's first official City Hall, (though unofficial city halls had been located in various places downtown). The new City Hall was designed by Walter David Pugh. The Victorian Gothic building featured a 136-foot clock tower, though no clock was installed when the building was new. After the Marion County Courthouse was demolished in 1952, its clock was installed in Salem's City Hall. A fire bell was also mounted on the roof in 1894. After the construction of the Vern W. Miller Civic Center, the old City Hall was demolished in the summer of 1972. The flag pole and fire bell were moved to the fire station at the new Civic Center, while the clock found a third home at the railroad depot in Mount Angel, Oregon. This small monument, which includes the original cornerstone plaque from the old City Hall, was erected in 1989.

Old Salem City Hall Cornerstone Plaque on September 9, 2006

Additional Links:
Old Salem City Hall at Salem Online History

Historical Photos:
Old Salem City Hall (Oregon State Library)
Salem City Hall, unknown date (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, circa 1900 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, 1903 (Oregon State Library)
Salem City Hall, 1950-1955 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, July 16, 1953 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, 1959 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, 1959 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall Tower Clock (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall Clock Tower, 1962 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, 1965 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, 1970 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, May 14, 1971 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, June 1972 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall, July 29, 1972 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall Bell Removal, 8/10/72 (Salem Public Library)
Salem City Hall Demolition, 8/13/72 (Salem Public Library)

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