Walking Tour
John Ritter’s Stories Of The Underground & Downtown Salem Lore Tour
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Salem_Underground_Logo_2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0b2bc1bbd61101cab9dcd5dd0c91ae3d 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Salem_Underground_Logo_2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6448f4d7089f895ef4f4e68f8c9731aa 466w)
Start at Wild Pear Restaurant (State Street)
This tour was created by local historian, the late John Ritter. John was a professor at Linfield College in McMinnville and loved history. He was a local celebrity and “go to” person for all things history in Salem. John passed away in 2021 and left this tour in Travel Salem’s hands to continue bringing history to the residents and visitors of Salem in creative ways. John was a true storyteller, and we are excited to share the history and lore of downtown Salem.
This tour won’t actually be going underground, but will still explore what remains of Salem’s underground scene from above ground as well as in the basement of existing buildings.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=560efc084cab8afea91cd3c10bdf092c 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3b3d6a94dff262ba9a8b276967b80389 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b317925944989de1a38a3a54d2f5cc0b 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1b30f378741cfc9be2c78b4c096eb541 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=247077da765d2be81042ed298e9c2df0 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=12e78d2aec5bf848dab6e3ed182df5ef 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9f5ada2d9f5844987eaba95a2b52db6f 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_24-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=bd1ad20c68f5b2afe792789ba72914ad 2227w)
Architecture
Note the iron façade of Wild Pear and adjacent buildings. In the 1840s James Bogardus of New York City developed the idea of using cast iron for decorative facades since iron was far cheaper than traditional carved stone. The iron could be painted to give the appearance of stone. Most of the buildings in downtown Salem have iron façade fronts and the ornate facades mimicked Gothic, Classical and Italianate designs which were the most popular designs imitated.
Walk west to the building nextdoor (formerly Cooke's Stationary)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a9319e262e0293f80e6a55272d0fe22c 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9c7d8c56176529a14200854ecc043b50 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cb130f4d8ced7cdfc683a3884e318eed 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4d5a96aab3464c26a9c0d53ec2126e8f 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c9d63f1c30d918c95fd385be9afa2d6d 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5b7f5284adc2e7cfd1843fb6ea47d13b 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_20-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4439c42e1c8fa0e1e3649cf5d0c0a27a 1485w)
Elevator shaft covering and elevators from the 1880s
Notice the metal covering on the sidewalk. Most businesses used elevators to load merchandise into basement storeroom areas, so as not to bother shoppers. Most are no longer operable.
In the 1880s, many elevator drive mechanisms were powered by steam and water hydraulic pistons, but these elevators used "traction" where the elevator cars were pulled up by hand by means of rolling steel ropes over a deeply grooved pulley, commonly called a sheave. The weight of the car was balanced by a counterweight.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=54eb1bb5dc8fe5a19709eb1d12c64eb1 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a6fa551ac06a80950ff8ee098cf3f58b 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=dc4159368d883198d3d78e286c4c7bad 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=91a871533c545096d54d5781b37c1931 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9590b05c05f2a4294a923c248d8d06ea 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d624154fc66757aa3605e26c39770048 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=03f957a1fc895901705a64042491ce3d 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=beb15ece03277515f5309171172f1c14 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_11.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=8c2c5f9961623242180cc3f144e6ec09 3840w)
The Gray Building
If you look across the street, you will notice the Gray building, on the northwest corner of State and Liberty, has narrow windows. Those upper floors were referred to as “Hooker Rooms.” In the 1880s many bordellos were housed in locations that looked out over a central area where there was more traffic. Chinese Americans had one of the largest and most successful immigrant and opium smuggling rings on the West Coast. Girls and women from Hong Kong, and opium, were used in bordellos. They would board in Hong Kong and stop in Salem.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=50da6585556d2d0f8c6e56759410b188 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2a8c8b7d98766fc138f1bc424cfe98eb 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ae07819527ac8fa1bea95f9bf9a73c96 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=eca2139a008f7a27138ff7459020c624 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8d2c92efa3669acd35b88f2279365f6c 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e5a648caeea3346135a1861852b76496 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d3d62b70c1d585f9a7ef8063d06ce662 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground-10-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=cfe5420cc0b9436e44870df3458173c7 2425w)
Stop at the Capitol Tower (State & Liberty)
Capitol Center Tower
The Capitol Center was built in 1926 and is the tallest office building in Salem. It is the only building in Salem with gargoyles, and is the only building in Salem designed by a German Architect.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9fdd0dadba5573a0f4a88a935b97431f 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bd3ad24a3674e8b0a7286e04dfd692e5 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=fb0fd7107db194f072d98182a47df155 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c199003cae12971d9187b197710c4df3 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5be247cf94dbd245f42247500d0affc2 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4f5f9378eca612135d62418d9e20adda 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f52a9fd83c0f11ffc19d889067712c0b 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=906c0027f183508c29b5052d99ec61a2 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_30.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=7e027e6fd8beebbb7781a9f875e85231 3840w)
Purple stone tunnels
Many tunnels were dug to connect basements of buildings. People could travel between buildings without being seen above ground. Most of the tunnels were filled in during sewer construction and sidewalk repairs – but pieces of that world still exist.
The basement of Capitol Tower was used to deposit gold dust in the main bank vault. The banker would meet Chinese miners at midnight, weigh and record the gold, then store it in the vault under the miner’s name. The vault walls are four-feet-thick concrete and the door has etchings of many of the transactions.
Sidewalks
The need for the underground space in this time was due largely to the fact that minorities were not supposed to be seen on the sidewalks. Salem’s Chinese population first came from the California goldfields. They dug many of Salem’s tunnels and the Chinese residents of Salem ran laundries, restaurants, and general merchandise shops. For years, the Chinese and Native people could be shot for transgressions. Important to note for this tour- that’s why the Chinese recreated below ground and not above. Chinese were continually harassed and persecuted until they were expelled in the early 1900s.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=07e88ef761f54da376ac49449f0227e7 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=756d347817c9f8692073232284f61ac6 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=376a154b1412f0c2ca8f9e61f8d5a7f8 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c25b77ad413e5b1d5baff11980b57be2 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=599cb59ffaf0c51e81219ff11fab7207 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ab7680b22eb46a61ee19fe20dd1001e4 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fdcbe5df98a090699700fb458878ec58 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=55314d6b12b72e6c5f8e602937c3b292 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_28.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f49413f374039316649923f955021362 3840w)
Under the purple glass
The glass was originally clear and allowed light to the tunnels. Over time, metal in glass turned them purple.
Head South down Liberty St and stop once you reach Ferry St (Liberty & Ferry)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7870de24ae44b591ba47898b761b4446 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=24f678cadcb24aab030375e1387cf270 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f603a066364284a1e9b4339db747217c 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bb3b2e0789e21994df715731546ada41 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=24050066b0425f9a03335071d38b3a5c 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b66a0aeed12a4aba431801b59b7f45a0 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6e8494bf03796b2a05815901e1f81d91 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8ed12c680c138cbe08c8a34bc7644c95 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_32.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=13e50648b1e747af955703b6fb3da3ae 3840w)
The northeast corner of Liberty and Ferry marks the place of the first Salvation Army church in Salem in the late 1880’s.
Topography of Salem
The topography of Salem was very different 150 years ago. The bank of the Willamette River sloped down to the water to facilitate steam ships loading and unloading. Ferries were used to cross the Willamette River at Ferry Street. Also, during flood times Trade Street was a long river slough that steamboats could maneuver in and about.
Cross Ferry St and continue down Liberty St toward Trade St. Turn left on Trade St and continue to Peppermint Flats Alley.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e1174a891622bcacd273a35d0846e023 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5efebf6093df2f5f66dc66dd32b04827 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6a4d9100f3c68119c0ebd61ff1886017 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=749c29cf5468aaf7d457b17f03f507ee 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9fe8d7fd82b7c44ed9fcce51bbe21778 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=13576d03369bfdaa9a27d37f6274baec 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8c253c595942ee7cb64c45e165611410 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=be3088e9647a6eb118f81723e9a934bb 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=570ac131812ecd8581b5dc84b4b00c68 3840w)
Go to Peppermint Flats Alley
Peppermint Flats Alley was named for the mint that used to grow in this part of town.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3e8cfe3bd5641a3709f279e4755f1e96 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2d2fb70a0c73bfef7668189afe11a3a0 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f9b05fd5abb7490c31da5f5fd2ebb92d 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d1501fa6f509e777cabc4fd3bc71deb0 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=50026a1dd64d1078e746a5b5eb29ebab 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1be8ad0180f4452a6bc335927fb6b6eb 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5c18b142c41711e458cd96a5badab738 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=29d10379ad696f499606dba35eef0b69 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_37.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=1f048d1302df5b0b828e4cb3706340ad 3840w)
Notice the great elevation change on the south part of the alley that bisects Trade Street. The dip used to be the elevation of the downtown area before The Great Trade Street Slough was filled in. There are several creeks running underneath the city which were all used for waste removal and transportation.
Walk down Peppermint Flats Alley toward Ferry St. Turn right and stop once you reach High St (Ferry & High)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f746c9b987aa21528bf777ec96af8730 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=21bda3cbc173c68b758bcc78577492ed 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1d93793f4ebdea9e3ddafe8105ceb970 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d68811b26f07fb7afd65ef911286ec08 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8bf940ed12a83d5d115ec4d6fd7805ed 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c8e34ad83c072dfc8130ff9ff1d6b99f 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=68485ee0393c6793cfd32c154ad19c6f 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b10685627a7d73d975dd3c250c76d609 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_40.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a1cf46de2f1fc635d00fda64a8aedda3 3840w)
The Elsinore Theatre was built in 1926 with architecture inspired by European castles. Over the years, it has housed silent cinema, vaudeville, drama, Mickey Mouse Club meetings, big-production dance shows, talkies, music, and community events.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=332d1596c20fd345c33ebfcc4d0018ca 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4463462e7d11855aca078807387844b6 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cab59551d74365ccbaefb9ff492accc8 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5d6a31697b6bb687bca3d67067e81a3f 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d2bbff138862590d7d2f8dd0d573e020 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ea7edadaeea866c57198d6dc8e6f7241 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=acccd637fb63fe68086e902e4bc46351 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4ca03949501c94136ebe348b6864c7a5 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_44.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=79766d4bf1e823b085b154763be0bfcb 3840w)
Cross Ferry St and walk to George Lai Sun Alley
George Sun was the unofficial mayor of Salem’s Chinatown located in this alley and lived above what is now Salem Print.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6c395c39bf4fc9a814ee7aca10623bc5 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6226be8daa38c21c068a32b1f0089846 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=38d22cee9623abc6b46571c0c37696be 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8d4bed8922eb4618887d22236f28fadb 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=982950dccc303326d1fe1442780c89e9 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=cdbb47715264abc1b1f5b65218787c98 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=14aa56be9c0821e0be156116a912bda6 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_39-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6042932a3db473cab77b66fe6e0996e7 2227w)
The back of the shops used to be their front door. They could take a flat boat all the way to the First Methodist Church.
Walk to the Corner and Cross State Street
Masonic Temple
Notice the large multi-storied county and bank building (Willamette Valley Bank) on the Northwest corner of High Street and State Street. This was built by the Freemasons in 1912 and has a secret Mason initiation room on the top floor that is only accessible through a hidden stairway, and was strictly used to initiate new members. Freemasons are the oldest fraternal organization in the world and began during the Middle Ages in Europe as a guild of skilled builders. With the decline of cathedral building the focus of the society shifted. Today, Freemasons are a social and philanthropic organization.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=eda47464c841438186c9c9282de70ba0 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a24f224930acc77b873ff9805f07a87c 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0825da3102eb1b444ec2482119e8ff5c 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a6ed468b3ac5e765ff8e9b454bfa54b5 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=72272b6e6dbde915637fe63b052fc4bb 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0b3f795d7d49e912c63a0d1bc4c209e6 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8b0034df9428ffea8f71b28c2beb8c39 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=cca95f5cb46fbd1d9cd0a3ee54af1626 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_46.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=588c7872cd6dd3addc5a66934c503073 3840w)
Walk West Toward Cherry Lane Alley
Cherry Lane Alley is named for Salem’s nickname of Cherry City and the areas abundance of Cherry orchards. Many places in Salem are named for the cherry, including the public transit called Cherriots.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6843203f5a85b45d318f667ec38dbc24 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=48f858e0c2a81c8e3a0e012a1f55a0b6 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cc43d39d8e7d55795d23ac54b7e639e9 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=88cfc51d347bef0ec3c22f31bc579341 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=fb6e7b78876e5d47f30cc1e0028169a3 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3c17f9037e0340cafe4034966b994d46 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fc87b359b6ae84882b3d187a867a49ed 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_12.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4760116bd8bc4cc4a6750fe5e63e0de2 2228w)
Men’s Jail
Notice the metal bars over the windows (pointed at with yellow arrows in the image above) on the first level and big glass blocks in the pavement – this was the first city jail.
Look at the small box on the wall on the left (circled in yellow in the image above). This was the visiting box, where people could talk to the inmates one at a time. The jail could hold 25 inmates, had 4 showers and 3 bathrooms.
There was a tunnel that went from underneath the jail to the county courthouse across the street. Inmates could be walked in chains from the jail and vice versa. This tunnel was found (which is mostly filled in) when ES Ritter & Co. (John Ritter’s father), wrecked the old courthouse and the tunnel was exposed. A new courthouse was built out of the neo-classical style, as many buildings downtown were.
Stop at the alley door to the right of the Metropolitan building and look at the steel trap door that is there. This was an entrance to the tunnel system.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=34f8b852836a233ab7840a29f78f4dda 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f42d92352bee9db6f5d9f04148396239 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=42ca5ec56fe6eae977ff4fc5665196d5 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=df3ed6bdf4a4f8c34df2991c37ab9993 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=95e65bf1e8a925eb72bd8a35f7490f40 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fb8fc11e92dee25b40ac21af9d4483eb 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4e8b1bed7d04adbb8d14345cf4e76b3a 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6e745e8f8ecb4677b6fdb0783755e8b0 2227w)
Women’s Jail
Walk north 20 paces and point out the barred windows to the women’s jail - notice a much smaller speaking box (circled in yellow). The women’s jail could hold 10 women and had one shower and 1 toilet.
The bricks were made at the Penitentiary brickyards. They made 700,000 brick per year for 50 years (35 million bricks). Most old buildings downtown were made to last with prison-made brick.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=58c10422d701563f5d1aa6cc89b931a9 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bcbc647bcc5b5d59a1df7a05deb345b3 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7a14ad7ec5d42918935e06f638c70de9 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=832a9c5fb251fc9954791c9b87bc4a9c 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4ad542cd5d44422f0695e059be18d372 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fabda3ba88f9533e86e7dca49515241c 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_45-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fef5c062a2a46a6e17563e4110edd628 1485w)
The alley is full of historical interest, but not the architectural entry way that spans the alley- that feature is new.
Turn left on Court St and stop at Book Bin
Notice the purple glass blocks at the NW corner of the alley, adjacent to the bookstore. This was more glass to provide some light into the tunnels.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e10d3f6c1aac0ece371f5e7c813afb4b 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1b02efd5169cbb006c80a2ffea769467 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b702894b6bd2e67db23f3b2e11acd19f 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=601731ea25b2399891f05cb8f311d51d 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2988753d708cae0ace1df42a0024852f 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=161aca48fa90b9a174ee7e588713f9d2 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_65-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c0b172c1f9b63d1c038b821f54d77f82 1485w)
Look back across the street and in the middle of block (now Lafky Attorney building) across from the Book Bin, you can see two windows almost facing each other
During the summer months, girls from the bordellos sat in the windows. Farmers, ranchers, etc. would come by and the girls would call out to them to come up and visit them. That was called ‘’window shopping.’’
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6ebdf17c20899db8ce0ac3d4c5095853 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8e831409ab341ed7bed690e6c4223035 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6c7612c5dff8e533b9cefb33fa3dd6d5 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=fefb6bd20b875827350dd53005972b07 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=1d83f650adf6fe6fff04b84fbc6e2fe3 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=904ccb74099696445028ddb929d11de9 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=b160dcbdc6710e482718cb67b7e21383 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=7dc8b4a17e5c8206cf44700ec5b67179 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_2-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=7a646a9cd1bf82d6f720661c264c1cff 3840w)
Walk East down Court St and stop once you reach High St (Court & High)
The Historic Grand Theatre and Hotel
The Grand Theatre and hotel were built in 1900 and owned by the Fraternal organization, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5b86963065c8a84d5d84c93047b1276f 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9d32edac7db9a3f0f7c263eb22cfa73b 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6e1903fe5081b26f27e50fd8b854816b 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=74d245c83ad1ace4ce90f723eecbcdbc 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=50951fd8165fdd7ab1bed45f850c3c5b 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5ca30aae8b3258f22cdb834a31a721b7 1440w)
Cross Court St and stop in front of Governor’s Cup Coffee House
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=592cbd4b68af0af21fe105ab7654eef1 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=078f597a8b3223a460edbc7716d57347 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e676d530a50461984ea73451c462178e 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c0d01031f8f57ec876cfd835f54c65fa 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e31949476c748a8aed1f5eaf1c96d2d6 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2ed935e6f265745f94f11113ce1a8e44 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5cd431c1c4ed3831913937046b845e7b 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6d6087ae9557eec274792b230f94fdf2 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/IMG_4966.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=039fa9fba979817f9ca8e3d1e871245d 3721w)
The Governor’s Cup used to be a whiskey bar, and Valiant the Sandwich, next door, used to be primarily a beer bar. The two establishments were owned by the same man, and there was a large French Door that separated the two places. Only whiskey would be served on the left and on the right only beer was served.
Continue down Court St and walk to Wexford Alley (next to Whitlock Building and Coin Jam)
Wexford Alley was named for the Wexford Theater that used to be located at 467 NE Court St. (next door to Whitlock) built in 1910. Its tenure was short-lived, as the building burned in 1915, and the same developer built the current building, the New Wexford Building, in 1916 without a theater.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a1e8e389bdb7c247994557237f1ff669 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ca6725ff24558f65cfec4c15fcd627a7 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3a71e16a65f7a35027f98a9f8789c951 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b9b6780f0a71d39e8eacd51000420bb3 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3d20f41087fa30b406bbdf3e690bcd3e 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d4d5370ba1a1636778fae53f52c07557 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=15a29878f2fb2aafcbd90b8d0ea2fbad 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=28d38e6b4343fd89e8a76dfe14a0129d 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_69.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=79514aeedf140604174c2d18c1bc6ccb 3840w)
Look at the grasshopper city art 20ft up on the wall. The “grasshopper” made of copper and is 5 feet long by 2.5 feet wide and 2 feet tall. It was created by sculpture Wayne Chabre in 1988.
Salem’s Final Gunfight
Wexford Alley is the location of Salem’s last gun fight. In 1912, two cow hands were drinking whiskey in the bar and got into one heck of an argument. One named Frederick George said, “okay, I know a way we can settle this, follow me outside.” Mean old Mitchell the “Coon Man”, (he had coon hounds) followed him into the narrow alley, they faced off, drew their pistols, and shot each other dead. The sheriff was called, and he went to each body and said, “I’m arresting you for murder, and you’ll both hang until dead. Oops your already dead, case dismissed.” The bodies were hauled away and buried. That was the last gunfight in downtown Salem.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4508a95b1f00c3da41ab384b4b5c182a 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3d7258f38545e1d79c41fcbee5422b09 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1edac77be61613fdcabeb6614d0d3a17 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a60acf0882e7894d1b2b7fd999d57667 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5356031a00adf839ffd8e3915aa8f0d2 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=66d351fd0b5eb19db32bfb8b4ac7545f 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d678658681a8693ad87505239598c31f 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=2fdcd5dfd75cbe6816811d0c1470aca3 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_52.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f50754cbc214bc52629e479ae9d443bc 3840w)
Continue on Court St and cross one you reach Liberty St. Stop in front of Top Drawer (Court & Liberty)
You are now standing in front of the best-preserved opera house in the west - the Reed Opera House.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=50d80d5814ad91a8f8f00ddb294d625e 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f3abd7602a1694afec4745e989f4f4db 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d07ab9335f4569a709969110dcfe2ac7 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8352658b31d024b1f24937914a2040f1 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c2aa754d1d58d5cb3f325500deaecb73 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9144e3c3e94f45c51449aeb7afb76d69 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c802b9c46b3d85edaaa57fb579687a2a 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_56-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=5a355e2886ebdca764f7f5cd0e50473d 2227w)
If you look up, you will see the Rose window. It is original to the building (1870s) and restored a few years ago to its original glory. The Reed is now home to shops, businesses, restaurants, and a beautiful ballroom.
Cross Liberty and stop in front of Reed Opera House (Court & Liberty)
Standing in front of the Reed on the SW corner of the Reed Opera House
Over a million bricks were used in the construction of the Opera House. All bricks were made at the prison brick factory. The iron grate air vents (above door) to the buildings next door to the Reed were used to bring fresh air into the tunnels. The stairwell that leads up to a large room, that was formerly a dance hall, was quite busy during The Prohibition. The sheriff was very polite and always called ahead to inform the patrons that a raid was about to take place, so everyone could exit the hall.
Turn the corner to be outside the Reed on Court Street (outside of the apothecary)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d5e06b12411488024fb84e6fec48c01d 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d6b72b87454ce154aa123b6086270a8a 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ff949ef6765fd536056df6083e1ff874 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1cb52a95ed4291b2a451f26348748f98 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=53a03002b254636627f23b1320e9511a 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fdb4e4c443069c6dc891fcdf4d88040d 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=503badb3ce6fb0b9d143f31e1f3deef7 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=17909e04541fe111a8dca1bd761f7454 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_59_3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=2485603de8480d423d62e39db939d30a 3840w)
Across the street, where a specialty kitchen store is currently located (Lullu's Tutto Cucina), used to be Doughton’s Hardware, a long time Salem landmark. You could get anything you wanted at Doughton’s.
Doughton’s was previously the site of a Chinese herb and tea shop. Suie Lee and her husband sold imported tea and spices from Hong Kong, and next door to them was a Chinese tailor shop operated by a relative of theirs. You could go there and order a suit, made in Hong Kong and it would be delivered in the packet (regularly scheduled) by steamship in one month.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7e0313a62c98d78e1ebda88891c3bee3 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b1025baada095eb5db9e321da42df52b 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8e04899c53cb79ab6145049ad418d31b 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c585f268b42c743a5566b1f6b9f4c32d 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=95f363c4587dbb379d5585d0a7543bbe 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=10a00ee2cafa5ec0febc54cf489ee41c 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=64269d0884528d37e4032415c962c0c1 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=63f94d77ec8166810b06edce50d32e6d 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_60.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d86e9520084e577bf7d083315beef7e3 3840w)
Next to that is the Dairy Lunch, that used to be the place of a Chinese deli that sold barbecued duck, cured hams and all sorts of Chinese specialty foods. This was called Little China Town as opposed to Big Chinatown that was located across from the Elsinore Theatre.
Turn left, walk down Court St and cross Commercial St. Stop in front of Night Deposit (Court & Commercial)
As you cross Commercial Street look northeast across the street to Salem Summit on the right-hand.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b104c78f02a6493e194f2406ca54ad63 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0c7ff0426f11f4087a93771b75462d1e 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=04970d9af33485866da5c458525cc8b7 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=65fb6a80faeea6005e0347e9ae633031 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f79c4ca2afc1121fceee9e8b015d3484 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b507f8e7efb7664f7ed32b2386fe3483 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a245cfe90d3260330735bfd6d1645768 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_64-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=2081e7ec3bad2a5eaaff50ef53335d76 2227w)
Notice the ornate iron façade that was discussed at the start of the tour. There is a tunnel that went from this building across the street to what used to be Nopps Art and Pawn Shop (now Isaacs). In the basement, there is a full-length shooting gallery stretching across the street where men used to sight in their rifles during inclement weather.
Walk down Commercial St to State St and turn left. Walk toward Liberty St cross. Stop in front of Ritters. (State & Liberty)
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0bd46364bbd86bec768892cb00f47b3a 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=cc31177c78c7101a3385ebd3bb8fdedc 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=583608997fa182a687ea7a5226b89310 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4009a72349fd5935c33b752721c2bf67 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6b4ce64c9b660c6e7361cd7ef5d86c24 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d46885aae4f8593853cc6e5bac620787 1440w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=986a9e55cfe149d27d46451083f093f1 1920w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6f4a0bbe9046bf06d0f3461b03bc8aa9 2560w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/Lore_Tour_19.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=c55ad80ef688339f2d611cbee2be56b5 3840w)
Stop in front of Ritters. This was the location of Salem’s only underground disco which was below the McGilchrist building where Ritter’s restaurant is now located. Encisco’s was a thriving disco which featured mirrored walls, plush carpet, a large dance floor and a huge wall to ceiling mirror in the 1970’s-80’s.
During Prohibition, a large distillery operated here for 10 years making corn whiskey. At night, they would vent the steam and mash out into the sewer and a street vent.
Downtown Salem has a diverse, interesting, and sometimes scandalous and controversial history. We hope this tour has shed some light on downtown and why the district as a whole, as well as many individual buildings are on the National Historical Register. By remembering this history, we can celebrate how far we’ve come and those who came before us and ensure this history and lore is not lost.
![](https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=038d2abe32e07fc3c77bfd856249f4ac 320w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c24f272df2fa068ec9e1c98a3d6dfe6d 540w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=116d19ad6740b567c7c37d201b275c9e 768w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9d83cf1d017b7d6f264dcb3ee79e9386 1024w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=cd32d3a124a169bfe3f7caa2fb4cfc33 1200w, https://travel-salem.imgix.net/images/John-Ritters-Underground_18.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2b1541596b02fed3b0e7a539b836169b 1440w)
BONUS:
To see the purple tiles from under the street, visit Engelberg Antiks at 148 Liberty St. NE.