Origin of name thumb|left|Map of Salem in 1876 The Native Americans who inhabited the central Willamette Valley at first European contact, the Kalapuya, called the area Chim-i-ki-ti, which means "meeting or resting place" in the Central Kalapuya language (Santiam).Johnson, Tony, Language Education Supervisor, CTGR Cultural Resources Division When the Methodist Mission moved to the area, they called the new establishment Chemeketa; although it was more widely known as the Mill, because of its situation on Mill Creek. When the Oregon Institute was established, the community became known as the institute.
Origin of name thumb|left|Map of Salem in 1876 The Native Americans who inhabited the central Willamette Valley at first European contact, the Kalapuya called the area Chim-i-ki-ti, which means "meeting or resting place" in the Central Kalapuya language (Santiam).Johnson, Tony, Language Education Supervisor, CTGR Cultural Resources Division When the Methodist Mission moved to the area, they called the new establishment Chemeketa; although it was more widely known as the Mill, because of its situation on Mill Creek When the Oregon Institute was established, the community became known as the institute.