West intersection of Commercial and State Street, snow storm of 1937. Griswold-Murphy Building at left, Pioneer Trust Building at right [Salem Public Library Historic Photo Coll.] October 24, 2019 Episode.
The area near the intersection of Commercial and State Streets in Salem's downtown core was the first hub of commerce in our early years. This was where you went "to town," and the city soon quickly developed around --and even over--it in the ensuing years. Soon this area within the Salem Downtown Historic District will have a totally different look. Kimberli Fitzgerald, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Salem, joined us once again to provide an update on current and proposed historic preservation projects happening in our town center.
The area near the intersection of Commercial and State Streets in Salem's downtown core was the first hub of commerce in our early years. This was where you went "to town," and the city soon quickly developed around --and even over--it in the ensuing years. Soon this area within the Salem Downtown Historic District will have a totally different look. Kimberli Fitzgerald, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Salem, joined us once again to provide an update on current and proposed historic preservation projects happening in our town center.
The parcel at the southwest corner of Commercial and State Street once housed the two-story 1858 Griswold Building/Opera House (the first brick block in Salem), followed by the three-story Griswold-Murphy Building until 1940, and then the newly constructed Murphy Building--until it burned down in 2006. In recent memory, Hogg Brothers' Furniture and McMahan's Furniture were located there, but over the years it has also been home to the Capitol Hotel, the Oregon Statesman newspaper, Les Newman's clothing and shoe store, the New Shanghai Chinese restaurant, Perry's Drugstore and the Schreder-Berg Grocery. In the late 1880s, the Masonic Hall leased space there, and the public library was on the third floor.
 |  The 1858 Griswold Building-Opera House, left. The Griswold-Murphy Building c1940, above; [Photos: SPL-HPC] |
Koz on State - Nishioka Building will have retail uses along State Street, with the lobby for residential use on Commercial Street. [Rendering: City of Salem] Now addressed as 260 State Street, a new mixed-use building with retail uses on the ground floor and residential apartments on the upper floors is being constructed.
Due to its sensitive location, an archaeological monitor was onsite when the brick foundation of the former building was uncovered. The "inadvertent discovery" was documented and the construction work continues.
Due to its sensitive location, an archaeological monitor was onsite when the brick foundation of the former building was uncovered. The "inadvertent discovery" was documented and the construction work continues.
[Photo: shineonsalem.org] Further south on Commercial Street, at the intersection of Ferry Street, is the original site of the Holman Building, later the Marion Car Park & Rental. The history of the original Holman Building is now being given new life in the form of the new Holman Riverfront Hotel.
As you may recall from earlier stories, the Holman Building was the center of Oregon state government following the burning of the first Capitol building, from 1857 until 1876 when the second Capitol Building was constructed.
In the before-after photos (left) from the SHINE website, the original Holman Building is seen c1940 (top) and the Marion Car Park, c2000.
As you may recall from earlier stories, the Holman Building was the center of Oregon state government following the burning of the first Capitol building, from 1857 until 1876 when the second Capitol Building was constructed.
In the before-after photos (left) from the SHINE website, the original Holman Building is seen c1940 (top) and the Marion Car Park, c2000.
[Rendering of Holman Riverfront Hotel: City of Salem] The developers of the Holman Riverfront Hotel plan to showcase the illustrious history of its namesake in the designs for the interior of the new building. Below is an architectural rending of the proposed building.
Kimberli also advised that there will be a proposal for redeveloping the Laundry Building and water tower at the former Fairview Training Center site coming before the Historic Landmarks Commission in the near future. The new owner is proposeing to redevelop the building into a rollerskating rink and a women's medical facility.
Another proposal expected soon is for construction of an accessory structure at the historic AC Gilbert Children's Museum site to house the new Bubble House, relocating the ever-popular museum attraction that was closed a few years ago to prevent further damage to the historic building. We'll keep you posted as these proposals move through the City's review processes.
Another proposal expected soon is for construction of an accessory structure at the historic AC Gilbert Children's Museum site to house the new Bubble House, relocating the ever-popular museum attraction that was closed a few years ago to prevent further damage to the historic building. We'll keep you posted as these proposals move through the City's review processes.
October was Archaeology Month in Oregon, with the focus being on public archaeology. Additional research on the Chinese-American history was presented. Kimberli continues to build her "bone collection" to further enhance the outreach to Salem's school children, as well as to promote interest in future public archaeology projects in the Salem area. We certainly look forward to the opportunities such projects afford our community to learn more about our ancestors and our interwoven history.
Asylum Line trolley sweeps through the neighborhood, c1891 [Photo: SPL-HPC] Speaking of public archaeology, during a Public Works street project in the Court Chemeketa Residential Historic District, tracks from a line of our first trolley network, the Asylum Line, were uncovered in the roadbed. We have included a couple pictures of what they found, but you can see more in the full Staff Report linked here.
 [Photo: City of Salem Public Works Dept.] | The photograph on the left depicts a curving section of trolley track found in the middle of 14th Street NE. The photograph to the right shows a straight section. Four sections were discovered during the street project. |  [Photo: City of Salem Public Works Dept.] |
Whether in her role as the City's Historic Preservation Officer or as its only Staff Archaeologist, the citizens of our community are well served by Ms. Fitzgerald's ability to facilitate complex projects and her passion for sharing our history in its many forms. The preservation of our shared heritage is in good hands!
To listen to the full podcast, click this link.
To listen to the full podcast, click this link.
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
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