Opening Up the City to the River

It's a little ironic to see the sign for a Historic Tour in front of the demolition of the old paper mill on Front Street. One of the advantages we can anticipate when this building is removed is a Pringle Creek Trail through city parks to the Willamette. Salem's attention is finally turning toward its beautiful urban river!

Demolition of a Historic Landmark

Looking from the east toward the Tower of the J Building at Oregon State Hospital, the beginning of the demolition is apparent. All except the original, 1894 Kirkbride section of the building is scheduled to be replaced. The entire hospital campus is on the National Register of Historic Places and only the buildings south of Center Street are effected by the construction of the new hospital facility. (Click on image to enlarge.)