Oregon City was the first capital of Oregon Territory. In 1852, after much controversy, the capital was changed to Salem. In 1855, the Legislature passed a bill removing it to Corvallis. The Federal Government refused to recognize the change. As a result both houses of the Legislature convened in Corvallis, in the building shown here on December 3, 1855, and passed a bill, within a few days, changing the capital back to Salem. This went into effect the same month and the Legislature re-opened in Salem on December 18. Although efforts were afterwards made to change the location again and by vote at an election in 1856 Eugene received the largest number of votes. The election, because of failure of four counties to make official returns, was ignored and the capital has remained at Salem since 1855.
