The Salem Amtrak station, built in 1918 by Southern Pacific Railroad, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Our railroad station has been the focus of local attention for almost a hundred years.

Built in 1918 to replace an earlier structure that burned, it was once the center point for transportation out of the city by both freight and passengers. Agricultural products from our abundant crops as well as families traveling to see relatives up and down our state, used the railway as the principal carrier.

As trucking and private transportation in the family car made train travel less popular, the station gradually lost customers until the condition of the building became critical. In the mid 1990s, the Oregon Department of Transportation took possession of the property. A $2.6 million renovation project was paid for by federal and state grants. The station received modern wiring, plumbing and heating. The 24-foot lobby ceiling was retained as well as the marble wainscot. A ticket counter of black marble was added and two 30-inch globe lights were recreated from drawings of the originals.

Amtrak leases use of the railway station for $1 a year. As a condition of the lease, Amtrak keeps the station clean and maintains the grounds.