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 favor of membership. UCLA's vote was much closer. On one side were the four slush fund teams—California, Southern California, UCLA, and Washington—each campaigning for UCLA's membership. On the other side were Oregon and Washington State, who were each pushing for UCLA to be expelled from the conference, due to their failing to make any worthwhile changes. Idaho and Stanford lined up behind Oregon and Washington State, making Oregon State the deciding vote. Whether Tommy Prothro helped sway Oregon State on the positives of his former employer is unknown, but Oregon State was the only team to break rank and vote