Salem streetcar system

By Richard Thompson

The first streetcars in Salem were horsecars that began running between the downtown business district and the train depot on January 15, 1889. Later that year, the Salem Street Railway stretched five miles, with extensions to the fairgrounds and East School. During 1889-1891, future U.S. President Herbert Hoover—who lived with his uncle, Dr. Henry Minthorn, a railway company executive—worked as a part-time streetcar conductor while taking classes at Capital Business College.

On May 27, 1890, the new Capital City Railway Company introduced electric streetcars to Salem and operated new lines to the State Penitentiary and the Rural Cemetery. The Salem Street Railway, reorganized as the Salem Motor Railway, also promised to electrify. 

By 1899, trolleys were running north to Garden Road, east to the Asylum, and south to Yew Park and Salem Heights. These destinations were two to three miles from downtown. 

The financial panic of 1893 brought receivership and consolidation to Salem transportation companies. In 1901, all lines, totaling 13.8 miles, merged into the Salem Light, Power and Traction Company. 

New owners followed in quick succession. On June 11, 1904, Denver interests incorporated the Citizen’s Light and Traction Company; and in June 1906, Salem’s street railways became part of the Portland Railway Light and Power Company. On May 5, 1912, the Southern Pacific Railroad added the Salem system to its electrified Willamette Valley network.

An attempt to reinvigorate Salem transit through the addition of four modern Birney trolleys in 1920 was not enough to overcome thirty years of losses. Streetcar service was discontinued on August 4, 1927.

  • Trolley and trailer await passage of parade in front of Capitol Business College, Salem, 1891.

    Salem streetcars, Capitol Bus College, ca 1891.

    Trolley and trailer await passage of parade in front of Capitol Business College, Salem, 1891. Courtesy Richard Thompson

  • Salem streetcar lines.

    Salem streetcars, map of.

    Salem streetcar lines. Modified from map by Ed Austin and Tom Dill (with permission )

  • Salem Street Railway cars 1 and 3 at depot, 1889.

    Salem streetcars, cars at depot, 1889.

    Salem Street Railway cars 1 and 3 at depot, 1889. Courtesy Ed Austin

  • First electric trolleys in Salem: Capital City Railway cars 1 and 2 on Asylum Ave. Line, about 1889.

    Salem, trolley, elec., 1889, ba015654.

    First electric trolleys in Salem: Capital City Railway cars 1 and 2 on Asylum Ave. Line, about 1889. Photo Cronise Studio, Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Libr., ba015654

  • Two children in field with "Toonerville Trolley" behind, 12th and Howard Sts., Salem.

    Salem streetcars, Toonerville Trolley.

    Two children in field with "Toonerville Trolley" behind, 12th and Howard Sts., Salem. Courtesy Richard Thompson

  • Crew of Asylum Ave. Line car 4 in front of Catholic Youth Bldg., Center St., Salem.

    Salem streetcars, Asylum Ave Line crew.

    Crew of Asylum Ave. Line car 4 in front of Catholic Youth Bldg., Center St., Salem. Courtesy Richard Thompson

  • "California style" car on Fairgrounds line, Salem, about 1906.

    Salem streetcars, Fairgrounds Line, ca 1906.

    "California style" car on Fairgrounds line, Salem, about 1906. Courtesy Mark Moore

  • Refurbished interurban car 54 of Portland Railway Light and Power Company, Salem, about 1907.

    Salem streetcars, refurbished interurban, ca 1907.

    Refurbished interurban car 54 of Portland Railway Light and Power Company, Salem, about 1907. Courtesy Richard Thompson

  • Southern Pacific Railroad car 861, Salem, about 1916.

    Salem streetcars, SPRR car, ca 1916.

    Southern Pacific Railroad car 861, Salem, about 1916. Courtesy Richard Thompson

  • Brill trolley westbound on State St., Salem, 1918.

    Salem streetcars, trolley on State St, 1918.

    Brill trolley westbound on State St., Salem, 1918. Courtesy Richard Thompson

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Further Reading

Austin, Ed and Tom Dill. The Southern Pacific in Oregon. Edmonds, Wash.: Pacific Fast Mail, 1994. 

Thompson, Richard. Lost Oregon Streetcars. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2017.

Thompson, Richard. Willamette Valley Railways. Mt. Pleasant, SC: Arcadia, 2008.