1949: West Salem becomes a part of the city of Salem

1949 World Events -Communists, led by Mao Zedong, establish People's Republic of China. -Berlin Airlift breaks Soviet Control; Germany is divided, with Communism in the east. -NATO is established. -'South Pacific' is a hit on Broadway; Milton Berle, 'Kukla, Fran and Ollie' are TV stars. Salem in 1949 West Salem became a part of the city of Salem in a ceremony attended by both city councils. The original settlement had been near Rickreall Creek with the platting of a town called Cincinnati. A later settlement was known as Eola, a thriving community for several years until the flood of 1890. The less hilly farmland north of Eola was subdivided into West Salem Addition. In 1912, Walter Gerth opened a grocery store at Gerth and Edgewater Streets; an early cannery, owned by Bruce Cunningham, became the Blue Lake Cannery. In 1913, after the completion of the railroad bridge, West Salem citizens voted to approve a city charter. The West Salem City Hall was a Public Works project in the 1930s and an important community center. It was the location of the first Chemeketa College classes and the West Salem Branch Library in 1986. Later, the small library was moved to a leased location in the shops across the street, then to Walker Middle School and finally to the building on Glenn Creek. It remains Salem's only Branch Library. When you visit The former City Hall now is an office building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three bridges now span the Willamette River, which divides Salem. Marion and Center streets have vehicle bridges (with a pedestrian lane), but the former Union Street Railroad Bridge and Trestle carry pedestrians and bikers only. Wallace Road to the north and Edgewater Road to the west remain the dominant highways. In the 10 years leading up to 2008, West Salem was growing as a residential area, with many new subdivisions climbing the hills of former orchards. This expansion now is leveling off, with less construction and new business. The West Salem Neighborhood Association was founded in 1975. This is a unique organization in Salem, as the meetings are conducted as a 'town hall' and every resident present, not just a board member, is allowed to vote on measures under consideration. This encourages a wider participation in neighborhood affairs, and the meetings are well attended. Other 1949 events in Salem -The City Council added an eighth member to represent West Salem. -The 1920s Oregon Pulp and Paper Company grew to be the largest Salem employer - except for the state - with 600 workers. It was an important element in the lumber industry and the economy of the city, but also was the greatest polluter of the city's air. -The first Art Fair was conducted on the lawn of the Marion County Courthouse, with 10 artists in attendance. The fair moved to Willson Park the next year and remained there until the Salem Art Association occupied Bush House in 1953. The fairs have been held in Bush's Pasture Park since that year. -The construction of the third Oregon State building on the North Capitol Mall, the Transportation Building, began with the demolition of residences between Chemeketa and Center, along Capitol Street. One of the most prominent was the home where the Barnes family had lived for 40 years. A family photograph taken in 1911 shows a far different scene than one taken when the house was unoccupied and waiting the wrecking ball in 1949. -Students posed for a school portrait at the 1887 Washington School (formerly East School) on the last day of school, June 1. It was the last class to be held before demolition for the construction of a Safeway store. As one of Salem's tallest buildings, it had been a favorite spot for photographers. -The first bridge on South River Road across the Willamette River to Independence was constructed. -A 1953 photograph showed Sick's Brewery at Commercial and Trade Street. By 1949, it was one of only two breweries in Oregon and one of Salem's largest taxpayers. The building was torn down in 1955. Produced by Virginia Green, SHINE is a website and blog that recalls economic and cultural events that have shaped Salem. To contact Green, email vagreen9@gmail.com or go to http://salem-heritage-network.blogspot.com.