Salem, Oregon Salem, Oregon Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood of West Salem is in Polk County. Salem was founded in 1842, became the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1851, and was incorporated in 1857. Salem had a population of 154,637 at the 2010 census, making it the third largest city in the state after Portland
History of Oregon State Beavers football the third quarter to take a 19-7 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Beavers' Paul Lowe scored from nine yards out to cut the Indian lead to 19-14. After a Tom Berry interception, Joe Francis found Frank Negri for a touchdown, which clinched a 20-19 Oregon State victory. 65,000 turned out in what would be the most attended Oregon State win. The game would remain the most attended Oregon State victory for more than four decades. Oregon State needed only a win over Idaho or Oregon to clinch a Rose Bowl berth. Sportswriters did not expect much from the Vandals,