Fred Klaus serving the new owners of the Pike Ice Cream Parlor, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Johnson, in July 1956.
McEwan Photo Studio. WHC Collections 2006.002.1372.004

“The Pike” ice cream shop was located at 138 Liberty St. SE – located on the east side of Liberty Street between State and Ferry. It was opened by Frank R. and Della Pike in 1938, under the name “Pike’s Super-Creamed Ice Cream Store.”[1]

Frank Pike sold the business to Frederick C. Klaus, a former manager of a dairy cooperative, in1943, with a guarantee that the “name of the store will not be changed and the policies introduced by Mr. and Mrs. Pike … will not be changed.” At the time of the sale, the store had nine employees.[2]

Klaus sold to Gerald N. and Doris M. Johnson in 1956.  Gerald had been in charge the cheese making division of the Meadowland Creamery in Eugene prior to purchase of the Salem store.  By the time of its sale, it was described as “one of Oregon’s largest retail ice cream outlets.”[3]  The new owners, too, make a promise to keep things status quo: “We intend to maintain the high quality of products and operation which has made The Pike a byword over the state.”[4]

The last entry for the store in the Salem City Directory appears in 1975 -listing Richard K. and Julie Smith as owners.  By the 1976 directory, 138 Liberty St SE is listed as vacant.

CITATIONS

[1] “Frank Pike –Della Pike” Capital Journal 08 Sept 1938 pg 4;  Note the neither the store nor the Pike family appear in the 1937 City Directory, giving pretty good evidence that the opening year was 1938.

[2] “Klaus Buys Store.” Oregon Statesman 29 July 1943 pg 5; “Klaus Busy Pike’s Store.” Capital Journal 28 July 1943 pg 11.

[3] “Eugene Couple Purchase The Pike in Salem.” Capital Journal 27 Jul 1956 pg 8.

[4] “Salem’s The Pike Sold, Famed for Ice Cream.”  Oregon Statesman 27 Jul 1956 pg 27.