Mellow Moon: Skates & Box

The Mellow Moon Pavilion was built in the summer of 1925 by Mills and Albright at the west end of the Marion-Polk County bridge in West Salem. Named after the popular “Mellow Moon” waltz, the dance hall quickly became a beloved social hub, offering evenings of music and dancing along the Willamette River. It hosted popular bands and orchestras, drawing crowds eager for entertainment.

Over the years, the Mellow Moon evolved, becoming a roller-skating rink under owners, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Hansen, from 1939 to 1942. Generations of Salem residents frequented the venue for skating and social gatherings, solidifying its place in local history. The venue was lost on January 1, 1943, when severe flooding caused the building to break free and collide with the Marion-Polk County bridge, ultimately leading to its destruction.