Capital city of Oregon, Salem. Population in 1905: 14,768. Copyrighted by E. Koppe & Ch. Fromm. Mutual L. & Lith Co.
Salem, Oregon was founded in 1843, 15 years before Oregon was admitted to the United States. It became the capital of Oregon Territory in 1851, and was incorporated as a city in 1856 - the same year the territory was annexed by the USA. It is home to several universities - including Willamette University, the oldest in the western US. This beautiful map provides a look at the beginnings of the city.