Oregon State Capitol, Salem, Oregon, 1938

• Main Author: unknown
• Other Authors: Special Collections
• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: unknown 1938
• Subjects: Salem; Oregon; Oregon State Capitol; Vermont marble; Oregon Pioneer statue; Keally; Francis; Ellerhusen; Ulric H.; modern Greek architecture; North Pole
• Online Access: http://photos.salemhistory.net/u?/specialcol,2278

This dramatic photo is of the new Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon. It was taken from the Willamette University campus looking north across State Street at the rear of the new Capitol. The capitol was dedicated October 1, 1938 and is of modern Greek architecture style. It was designed by Francis Keally of New York and constructed of white Vermont marble and bronze at a cost of approximately $2,500,000. Salem is in the Willamette Valley on the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the north pole. The Capitol faces north and has extensive landscaped grounds on both sides of it, and several other government buildings flank the long mall in front of it. In this photo the "Oregon Pioneer" statue has not yet been placed atop the tower. He was sculpted by Ulric H. Ellerhusen of bronze enameled with gold leaf and stands nearly 23 feet tall and weighs eight and one half tons. Spotlights illuminate him at night. The tower offers a panoramic view of the city, the Willamette Valley and the Cascade Mountains to the east.