Salem in 1987

World Events

  • Rudolph Hess (aged 92), WWII NAZI, is found dead in his Spandau Prison cell. The last prisoner in the complex, it is soon demolished.
  • President Reagan visits Berlin, challenges USSR to “Tear down this wall!”
  • King’s Cross fire in London subway kills 31 and wounds 100.
  •  US Congress charges Reagan with “ultimate responsibility” for the Iran-Contra deception, but he is not prosecuted. (See 1986) His nominee for the Supreme Court, Robert Bork, is rejected by the Senate.
  • Jim Bakker resigns from the evangelical “Praise the Lord” television network after his personal misconduct is revealed.
  • 18 months old Jessica McClure falls down her aunt’s well in Midland, Texas. Rescuers work 58 consecutive hours to free her from the 8-inch well casing. The drama is seen around the world by television.
  • AZT is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the use in treatment of AIDS.
  • Starbucks Coffee stores open in Seattle. Simpson cartoon appears.
  • Academy Awards: “The Last Emperor” (US), “Babette’s Feast” (Denmark). Prize-winning Books: Paco’s Story, Larry Heinemann and A Summons to Memphis, Peter Taylor.
Residences along Court Street in the Historic District

In Salem
The Court-Chemeketa Historic Residential District (above) was established this year. This small area of two streets is limited on the east and north by Mill Creek, on the south by State Street and on the west by a 1984 barrier across 13th Street that eliminates auto traffic. This area, separated from the early city center by the 12th Street rail tracks, Willamette University and the Capitol, was home to many of Salem’s pioneer families and small water-powered businesses. The businesses are gone now, but the residences reflect the domestic designs popular in the broad period between 1860 and 1937. Bonnie and Roger Hull led a resident group in the research and documentation necessary for this successful nomination to the National Register.
It is no coincidence that both Court-Chemeketa and Gaiety Hill/Bush’s Pasture Park Residential Historic Districts are founded at this time. These were basically neighborhood enterprises, sponsored by their residents, many of whom were involved in the Inventory described below.
Today, the Historic Landmarks Commission offers professional direction to owners of designated historical properties for making exterior alterations through Design Review by the Community Development Department staff recommendations and Commission approval.

When you visit

Walking tour slide shows of our three historic districts are found here on SHINE. In addition to the Court-Chemeketa Historic Residential District, there are the Gaiety Hill/Bush Pasture Park and Salem Historic Downtown districts. The best way to enjoy our character of our city is to walk in the neighborhoods and urban parks to see for yourself the value of historic preservation.
A catalog of properties individually listed as National Register or Local Landmark (not in a historic district) can be found on the DISCOVER website. It has been given that name because it reveals many interesting historic properties, not yet designated, in all 19 neighborhoods. On this website, you may search by neighborhood, street address or family name. Viewers are welcome to Comment on DISCOVER to correct or add information.

Other Events

One of the most important resources for learning about Salem history is the Historic Salem An Inventory of Historic Places, a 1987 spiral-bound collection of 101 photographs with information about local personalities and properties of significance. Produced this year by the staff of the Historic Landmarks Commission under the leadership of Mark Siegel, and with the help of many trained volunteers, it remains a basic source of information about our architectural and cultural past. In the years that have passed, designations have changed, some houses have been demolished, others moved. However, the Inventory remains a valuable snapshot of the historical properties in the core of the city at that time: only 6 of the 19 neighborhoods were surveyed.

  • During his term of office, Governor Atiyeh established new public safety programs for Oregon’s traditional fishing and lumber trades and took measures to attract new industries to the state, bringing thousands of jobs. He initiated the state’s lottery, launched a worldwide tourism initiative, and got the Columbia River Gorge designated as a national scenic preservation area. After Ateyih’s term, the governor’s residence on Winter Street became headquarters for the Department of Environmental Quality for the State of Oregon. It has now been moved slightly north to accommodate the North Capitol Mall Office building.
  • Kathryn Gunnell, a prominent Salem personality and noted photographer dies this year. Leaving no heirs, her professional collection was left to the Marion County Historical Society.

 

  • The Frederick and Nelson Store, on the Liberty and Chemeketa Streets site of the former Lipman’s, closes this year.
  • The Devereaux Apartments, managed by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, serves as a shelter for the homeless.
  • The star logo is prominently displayed on the walls of the Salem Centre Mall as the new second floor of Marion Parkade gives entrance into the retail stores.