DISCOVER

DISCOVER displays photos and descriptions of more than 250 individual historic properties. Local Landmarks (LL), Federal National Register of Historic Places (NR) and potential candidates (D) are designated. Use Search to locate a property by name, street or neighborhood.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Spring Valley Church, Brush College Road, (D)


This area north of West Salem was an important part of the early Salem settlements, close family ties and agricultural history unites these two communities. The old Spring Valley Presbyterian Church was erected by volunteer labor in 1859, the lumber transported by boat to the town of Lincoln on the Willamette River. The bell came from England around Cape Horn to Oregon. It has long been a beacon for worship and its cemetery is still a place for commemorating those who lived in the community in the past.
(West Salem)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wild/Erb, 573 19th Street NE, (LL)

Ira Erb, a Union Army Civil War veteran, came to Salem in 1890 from Ohio, purchasing this lot from the Wild family. He bought the Boothby and Stapleton Sash and Frame Co. on Front Street and, with his partner Clarence Van Patten, was involved with a number of buildings in the neighborhood.  He died in Salem on May 25, 1915, and was buried in City View cemetery.  His wife, Hattie (Harriett Myers Erb), remained in the house until her death on November 21, 1941.After several owners, it was sold to Lloyd Chapman in 1978. Mr. Chapman has compiled a complete history of the house. (SESNA)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Fawk, 310 Lincoln Street S, (NR)

The 1902 Fawk House at 310 Lincoln Street sits on a prominent corner overlooking Lincoln and Fir Streets. It has a Dutch Colonial gambrel roof and a stone chimney which serves three rooms inside. Henry Fawk was a well-known contractor and livestock broker. Eventually, this was the boyhood home of Ross McIntyre, Surgeon General of the United States and physician to President Franklin Roosevelt. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
(SCAN)