Your Oregon Capitol Building Turns 82!

It's our birthday! To celebrate, we're dedicating this issue of The Gateway to your Oregon Capitol, past and present. Read on for fun facts, old photos, and more:

Then and Now:

Your Oregon Capitol opened its doors in October, 1938, after Oregon's first two Capitol buildings were lost to fire. 

Our first Capitol burned under mysterious circumstances shortly after its construction. While the fire's origins were unknown, it took place at a time in our history when the location of Oregon's Capitol was hotly contested. 

Oregon's first Capitol courtesty of Oregon State Archives, Secretary of State, OMP0005

Oregon lost its second Capitol to a tragic electrical fire in 1935. Although the fire started in the basement, the flames grew to reach the old building's 100 foot tall copper dome! While much of the building was lost, some of its remnants can still be found today; if you walk through the State Capitol State Park, you can find fragments of columns from Oregon's second Capitol. You can also find a flag that was rescued from the second building on the ground floor of the Capitol, in Hearing Room 50.

Oregon's Second Capitol, courtesy of the Oregon Encyclopedia and the Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Lib., OrHi 62727

No doubt your Oregon Capitol is a place of historic significance! But while the Capitol serves as a link to Oregon's past, it is also a space that people engage with today. The Capitol, also known as the "People's Building," is a place where everyday citizens can participate in Oregon's democracy. Laws are passed here that impact our future!  Do you have an idea for a law? You can share it with your State Representative or State Senator. Use our Legislator Lookup Tool to find out who represents you.

75th Anniversary Highlights

The Capitol's last birthday celebration was in 2013 when it turned 75! Click below to watch highlights from that day, and to learn more about the 1935 fire and the origins of Oregon's third and current Capitol building.

Address: 900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-1388
Web: http://www.oregoncapitol.com

IN THIS ISSUE

• Then and Now: Your Oregon Capitol Turns 82!
  
  
• 75th Anniversary highlights
  
  
• Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept 15 - Oct 15
  
  
• Capitol Store Feature: Showcasing our State Animal, the Beaver!

DID YOU KNOW??

Your Oregon State Capitol is forever young!

Although Oregon was the 33rd state to join the union, as depicted by the 33 stars encircling our state seal, and on the Rotunda dome, its Capitol is the 4th youngest in the nation. Only Florida (1972 - 77), New Mexico (1966), and Hawaii (1960 - 69) have newer buildings.

 1935 CAPITOL FIRE

Click for historic footage of the 1935 fire that destroyed Oregon's second Capitol

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Pictured: Ballet Papalotl performs in the Capitol Rotunda as part of Hispanic Heritage Day at the Oregon Capitol in 2019.

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month! Your Capitol is proud to offer a variety of cultural heritage programming, including Hispanic Heritage Day at the Capitol each September. 

While we had to cancel this year's event, we encourage you to celebrate by watching footage from last year's celebration:

CAPITOL STORE: SHOWCASING OUR STATE ANIMAL, THE BEAVER!

Would you like to spruce up your kitchen with a kitchen towel depicting our state animal? How about sip on your favorite beverage in one of our beaver mugs or 12 oz tumbler? These items are now available at the Capitol Store.

Flour Towel: $10
Mug: $16.75
Wine Tumbler: $21.75

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Capitol Collection. We have gifts for all occasions. Call or email us today 503-986-1391 or email: capitol.store@oregonlegislature.gov

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