This week on Your Salem Through the Years, Virginia and Jim discuss Salem in 1865. In that year the Willamette Flouring Mill was built at the mouth of Pringle Creek. It was the largest mill in Oregon and Salem's leading industry at the end of the 19th century.

Salem in 1888 is the subject of this week's show. It was a notable year because the only Oregonian to become President of the United States moved to Salem in this year. Here is a picture of him a few years later after he graduated from Stanford University and began his career as a mining engineer. Who was this young man, known around town as "Bert"? Listen to our show to find out.

This week on Your Salem Through the Years, Jim and Virginia take a walk through Champoeg State Park with Mark Hines, an expert on the history of Champoeg. Campoeg State Park is where the Oregon Territory was born in 1843. The town was wiped out by a terrible flood in 1861. Listen in to learn about our most historic state park.

Salem in 1887 is the topic of our show this week. The city was growing and Holly Cornell was an early Salem architect who designed many fine commercial and residential buildings, including this block on Commercial Street. Give a listen to learn more.

This week on Your Salem Through the Years, Jim remembers John Fahey with Julian Snow who knew Fahey during the time he lived in Salem. Fahey was known as the Father of Fingerstyle Guitar. He made many recordings and influenced an entire generation of guitar players. He may have been the most famous musician to ever make his home in Salem.

Salem in 1987 is the subject of this week's show. In 1987 Kathryn Gunnell, an early Salem photographer, passed away. Learn about her interesting life, including a stint in Hollywood, by listening to the show.

This week Jim and Virginia look back at Salem in 1872. Sadly, in 1872 this building, one of the most important in Salem's history, was destroyed by fire. Learn about it by listening to our show.

It was a foggy, drizzly day like this one when Jim and Virginia met Elisabeth Walton Potter for a walk through Pioneer Cemetery. Somehow days like this are perfect for a cemetery walk. Learn all about the important historical figures that are at rest in Salem's most interesting cemetery.

This week Jim and Virginia recall Salem in 1882. As we continue to debate the need for a new bridge across the Willamette in Salem, we do well to remember the first bridge erected in 1886 by Robert Stuart Wallace. You can learn all about Mr. Wallace by listening to this show.

This week's show features Salem in 1903. That was a very special year because we had a visit from the U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt. Before making a speech at the Capitol the President was serenaded by Hallie Parrish Hinges, whose soprano voice could be heard all the way to the top of High Street. Roosevelt called her "the Oregon Nightingale." Learn more about Hallie Hinges and about Salem in 1903 on this week's show.