The west shore., August 01, 1889, Page 435, Image 28

THE WE8T SHORE.
4.15
PIOTURESQUH SALEM
SALEM, the capital of Oregon, does not owe iti
prominence merely to the fact that it is the teat
of government of a rich and proaperooi common
wealth. It i one of the oldest cities in the north
west It has always been in a healthy condition and
has maintained a steady growth from the beginning,
but the strides now being made are bringing the capi
tal city to the front rank in all respects. The pro
gress that has been made in the past year or so seems
quite remarkable. By the sohool census taken in the
spring of this year it was fonnd, by actual count, that
the Balem school district had ten thousand three
hundred inhabitants, whioh was a gain of twenty-five
per cent over the corresponding enumeration of the
previous year. That is a very rapid increase and it
indicates in no uncertain way that the city is forging
ahead at a lively pace. The sohool district comprises
only what is, practically, a part of the city, and it is
entirely within bounds to place the present popula
tion of the city of Salem at eleven thousand souls.
The same rate of growth that obtained last year is
still in progress, and it is likely that the current
twelve months will show even a greater degroe of
improvement than it ever experienced before in a
similar period. All indications point in that direc
tion. Undoubtedly to people far away in the east who
have no acquaintance with the individual characteris
tics of many of the western cities, the fact that Salem
is the capital of Oregon is the one thing associated
with it; but to those who are not familiar with the
northwest and its rapid development this does not
moan much. This accounts for the genuine surprise
tourists experience in noting what, to western people,
are among the commonest things. The traveler,
who, before taking a western tour, consults roforenee
books to become, in a measure, oonvorsant with the
oountry. finds Balem sot down as a town of five or six
thousand population and the capital of the most
western state of the republic. When he finds a city
of twioe that site, with important commercial and in
dustrial interests, besides being the governmental
headquarters for a commonwealth whose richness
thev had aoarofllv before dreamed of, it is no wonder
he should be surprised, and, withal, delighted. Hut
it is not so much the extensive business interests of
the citr aa its nnusaal nioturesqueness that iinpr.
es the visitor most favorably. In this resect Mem
(Wtnnlna an anvitViln nnaitioiL
In the matter of public buildings, o-.w-j
surpasses any other city in the north wt The t
prominent of these are the state capital, statu asylum
for the hiine, stats penitentiary, deaf mut sct4
and school for the education of the blind, the Wil
lamette university, Marion county oourt house, pub
lic and private sohool buildings and the various
churches and municipal buildings. The Indian train-
icg school at Chemawa, a suburb of Balem, is practi
cally one of the capital city's institutions. These edU
fioes are well constructed and of imposing stylos of
architecture and are in the midst of pleasant sur
roundings. The park about the capitol, known as
Wilson avenue, occupies three blocks, three hundred
by three hundred and twenty feet each, laid out in
pleasing designs and planted with shade trees, many
of whioh have attained a large site. This park is in
the center of the city and is one of its moat attractive
features. Marion square, in the west-central part of
town, not far from the Willamette rivor, which flows
past the city on the west, is a very pretty little park
filled with largo, spreading trees that give it the ap.
pearanoe of a dense forest This is near the business
center and is much patronised. A cool broom always
freely circulates through the park and to the ordinary
donisons of hot and dusty cities it seems the most
balmy, restful spot imaginable. The oitisens taksj
muoh pride in keeping this park in good order so its
benefits may be enjoyed by alt who choose to seek it
Highland park addition is the name of a largo tract
in the northern portion of the city, whioh is plat
ted in lots and is becoming a popular locality for res
idences. A fir grove in the northern part of this
tract was recently cleared of underbrush and other
obstructions, a great deal of rustio weaving dons
about the various nooks and corners, an artesian well
bored and driveways constructed so as to make it a
pleasant place for a drive or a stroll during the most
of tho year. The trees of this park, having grown
up in a wild forest, partake of their native character
istics and do not preseut the garden-cultured appear
anoe so common in city parks. Yew park on the op
posite side of the city, takes its name from ths large
number of yew trees growing there. It ooroprlsca a
considerable tract of land in a fins location and a por
tion of the area is platted. A great deal of cars has
Urn taken in the plans of this park and its surround
ings, so that it makes an interesting and pleasant
place. The park oonUlua several varieties of hard
and soft wood. A fine stream of water flows from a
spriug in one oorner of ths groom!. The location is
war the railway station, and the street ear line pa.
. through it The city Is fortonate in having these
.ulmrUn tract fall Into the hands of business men
wo ire alive to the future need of the rapidly ei-
. .-.I a anna nf iha athntlri
pamling WWU, iuu wuw -
I m ,ll a of the practical, and maks a happy eombln
ution of the two when the property is put oo the
I muket Nothing adds mors to ths Wrebllly of