TrainPages: Northwest Railroad Depots: Salem, Oregon

I originally posted this information on my old website on March 26, 2009, and last updated it on December 18, 2009.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

The Oregon & California Railroad was the first railroad built south from Portland toward California. It reached Salem on September 27, 1870, and opened a depot here later that year. Salem's residents of the time complained that the depot was too far from town.

Model of old Salem Depot

Salem's first railroad depot was destroyed in a fire in 1885. Soon after, a new depot was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which took over the Oregon & California in 1887. When it first opened, it consisted of a two-story passenger-section only, but a single-story freight section was soon added on the south end. (Note: the photo above is of a 1:64 scale model of the old Salem depot on the Oregon State Capitol Holidays Layout.)

Freight Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

In 1917, the passenger section of Salem's depot was destroyed by another fire.

Freight Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

The fire was put out before it caused significant damage to the freight section, which was saved and repaired as a stand-alone freight depot.

Freight Depot in Salem, Oregon on April 6, 2007

This 1800's freight depot still stands today as the oldest freight depot in the state of Oregon, and it retains many of its original architectural details.

Freight Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

It has recently received a new roof (donated by Withers Lumber, Larry Epping Building Co., Fidelity National Title, Associated Properties Real Estate Sales & Service, Portland General Electric, JDC Homes, LLC, Washington Federal Savings, Freres Lumber Company, Inc. and the Marion-Polk Building Industry Association) and is wrapped in Typar plastic until funds for a complete restoration can be raised.

Detail of Freight Depot in Salem, Oregon on April 6, 2007

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

In 1918, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a new passenger depot in Salem. The depot was designed by J. H. Christie, an architect for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was built by Stebinger Brothers of Portland at a cost of $25,000.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on April 20, 2007

The depot featured Beaux Arts Classical architecture with Ionic columns and large Roman arched windows and a 1500 square foot passenger waiting room with a 24-foot ceiling, two 30-inch globe light fixtures, marble wainscoting and and Terrazzo marble floors.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

By the 1950s, the depot had been "modernized," with a low suspended ceiling in the waiting room, and the large arched windows blanked over.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on April 7, 2007

As passenger rail service declined from the 1960s onward, maintenance was kept to a minimum and the building deteriorated. The Oregon Department of Transportation took possession of the depot property in the 1990s.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

In 1998, a three-phase restoration project began that took nearly two years, restoring the interior's arched windows, high ceilings and marble floors, recreating the original light fixtures, and building a new brass and black marble ticket counter.

Passenger Depot Interior in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006

A new roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, paving and landscaping were also part of the project. The restored depot was rededicated on May 19, 2000.

Passenger Depot in Salem, Oregon on September 8, 2007