HISTORY COLUMN: Salem's High School Namesakes
By Darrell Jabin
Researching namesakes frequently provides a window into Oregon’s past. The namesakes of Salem area public high schools offer an excellent example.
First, a little history – in 1904 Salem passed a bond measure (279 to 205) to build a high school. The building, located at High and Marion (where the Meier and Frank store used to be and Macy’s is today) was dedicated on January 1, 1906. The first class of 20 students graduated in June 1906.
By 1930, Salem’s population had grown from a little more than 14,000 in 1910 to over 26,000 by 1930. A newer larger school was needed and with the help of funds from the Public Works Administration, a new high school was built at 14th and D Street. It opened in the fall of 1937 as Salem High School with an enrollment of a little more than 1,600 students. The name was changed to North Salem High School when South Salem High School opened in 1954.
McNary High School
McNary High School in Keizer was opened in 1965 and named for Oregon’s former U.S. Senator Charles McNary. He was born near Salem in 1874, attended Willamette University School of Law and opened a law practice with his brother. At age 34, McNary became the dean of the Willamette Law School.
McNary was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court in 1913 but lost the position in the next election. In 1917, Governor Withycombe appointed him to fill a U.S. Senate position after the death of Senator Harry Lane. McNary served as a U.S. Senator for Oregon for 27 years. His legislative efforts led to the building of the Grand Coulee and Bonneville dams. McNary Dam on the Columbia River was named in his honor.’
Sprague High School
Former Oregon Governor Charles Sprague is the namesake of Sprague High School in South Salem. It opened in 1972. He taught school and was a school superintendent before starting a career as an owner and editor of newspapers. He purchased ownership of the Salem newspaper, the Oregon Statesman, in 1929 and was owner, publisher and editor (excluding his time as Governor) until his death in 1969. Sprague was elected Governor in 1938 and during his term worked on improving employment services and implementing vocational training programs.
Sprague returned to his position as editor after losing reelection and wrote a column called “It Seems to Me” for the next 25 years. The columns were often referenced in legislative debates. Sprague is also the namesake of the bronze Sprague Fountain north of the Capitol building near Center Street. He donated the funds to have the fountain built.
McKay High School
McKay High School, east of Lancaster Drive and north of Sunnyview Drive, opened in 1979 and was named for former Salem Mayor and Governor James Douglas McKay (he dropped his first name and was known as Douglas McKay). He was a descendant of Oregon pioneers and was born in Portland.
McKay graduated from Oregon State College, now Oregon State University, earned a Purple Heart for wounds he received during World War I, and bought a car dealership in Salem. He won election as Salem Mayor in 1932 and as Oregon State Senator in 1934.
He served as a State Senator until 1947, excluding his time volunteering for active military service during World War II. He was elected Governor in 1948 and worked on improving our highways. He served until 1952 when he accepted an appointment to a Cabinet position as Secretary of the Interior in President Eisenhower’s administration.