Why did Oregon pick Salem as the capitol?

Answer 1

Because in the 1800s, legislators had to travel to the Capital by horse or stagecoach. It frequently took a week or more for everyone to arrive in Oregon City, the Territorial Capital. So when Oregon became a state, they chose Salem because it is still close to Portland and Eugene (the major population centers), yet made travel easier for the legislators from Eastern Oregon.

Answer 2

The territorial capital of Oregon was moved from Oregon City after the California Gold Rush, as the population shifted to Portland just to the north. Competing interests between Portland and Corvallis led to the establishment of the capital at Salem which lies between the two. Corvallis was briefly the capital in 1855, but Salem was the capital when statehood was granted in 1859.

Answer 3

Oregon is not the capital of Oregon. The capital of Oregon is Salem.

Answer 4

Salem is the capital because a lot of attractions are there so the Government and Excutive Branch decided to make it the capital.