How the Great flood of 1862 and The Salem Flood of 1890 Impacted West Salem's development
The Willamette River floods of 1861 and 1890 reshaped modern West Salem by driving early settlers away from destructive floodplains. After the 1890 flood devastated the riverfront town of Eola, families rebuilt on the safer, high-ground alternatives near the Eola Hills, creating today's city.