It is hard to imagine, but when the Oregon State Hospital was built, it stood in farmland about half a mile outside the city limits of Salem. The route between town and the hospital would, as this article suggests, get pretty mucky when the rainy season came. Four years before Salem’s official street car debut, a raised wooden walkway definitely sounded like a good idea to the 27 year old Edward J. Frazier (1857-1935)[1], a New York native who grew up on his father Alexander Frazier’s farm in North Salem.[2] Frazier (or Frasier as the spelling would mutate during his life) would go on to be a prosperous real estate agent in Eugene.[3] Perhaps this was the beginning of his career?
THE ASYLUM SIDEWALK
Ed. J. Frazier, who is trying to raise money for a sidewalk from the city on Asylum avenue to the asylum, has nearly a sufficient amount subscribed to buy the material for the walk. Most of the property owners along the avenue have agreed to bear the expense of putting down the walk. The lumber can be laid down $2 per thousand cheaper than after the rains set in. Mr. Frazier will call on you again for subscriptions. The walk should be laid down now, and it is hoped enough can be raised to buy the materials. Read the rest of this entry »
Oregon State Hospital Museum Project 