Delaney-Edwards House Salem: Historical Landmark & Dark Secrets

Delaney-Edwards House Salem: Historical Landmark & Dark Secrets

The Delaney-Edwards House stands as a stately reminder of Salem’s rich—if turbulent—past. Built in 1845 by pioneer Daniel Delaney Sr., the home has witnessed Oregon’s transformation from rugged territory to burgeoning statehood. But behind its graceful façade lies a story marked by greed, violence, and a fight for justice that exposed the contradictions of freedom in early Oregon.

The Delaney-Edwards House: A Frontier Landmark

Located southeast of Salem near Turner, Oregon, the Delaney-Edwards House is an architectural gem—reflecting the ambitions of its owner and builder, Daniel Delaney Sr. A prosperous farmer and early legislator, Delaney’s home quickly became a prominent fixture in Salem’s social landscape.

Its history, however, was anything but tranquil. Within its walls, the Delaney family’s story unfolded against the backdrop of a society still wrestling with issues of race, class, and power. The household included Rachel Belden Brooks, an enslaved woman Delaney brought with him to Oregon despite territorial exclusion laws forbidding slavery. The house witnessed moments of joy and success—but also the darker sides of human nature: greed, betrayal, and, ultimately, violence.

The house became a silent observer, absorbing the energy of these events. It stood as a testament to its era, reflecting both the promise and the perils of life in early Oregon. As we delve deeper into its history, we uncover how the physical structure of the house is inextricably linked to the stories of those who lived and died within its walls.

The Murder of Daniel Delaney Sr.

On January 9, 1865, Daniel Delaney Sr. was shot and killed just outside his front door after returning home from town. He was 59. Investigators soon identified the assailants as George P. Beale and George Baker, two local men who conspired to rob Delaney after rumors spread that he carried large sums of gold. The crime shocked the small frontier community—newspapers of the day described it as “one of the most diabolical murders ever committed in Oregon.”

Justice and Salem’s First Public Double Hanging

Beale and Baker were arrested, tried in Salem’s circuit court, and convicted of murder. On May 17, 1865, they were publicly hanged in a grove at Church and Mill Streets—the first double hanging in Salem’s history. Thousands were said to have gathered to witness the execution, remembered as both a moral spectacle and a grim reminder of frontier justice.

Eyewitness accounts described the crowd as silent and somber when the trapdoors fell. The execution marked the end of one of Oregon’s earliest and most sensational murder cases.

Through surviving reports and court records, we can glimpse a narrative that exposes the complexities of race, power, and justice in early Oregon. This isn’t just a story about a house—it’s a story about the people whose lives were irrevocably shaped within its walls, and how their stories continue to resonate today.

Rachel Belden Brooks: Enslavement and the Fight for Justice

Amid the turmoil surrounding the Delaney murder and trial, another story emerged—one that revealed the deeper injustices woven into Oregon’s early history. Rachel Belden Brooks, an enslaved woman who lived and labored in the Delaney household, refused to let her voice be silenced after Daniel Delaney Sr.’s death.

At a time when few women—let alone a Black woman—had any legal standing, Rachel took extraordinary steps to assert her right to fairness and dignity. Her courageous pursuit of justice challenged the racial and social boundaries of the era, forcing Oregon’s young legal system to confront its own contradictions.

Though the outcome of her fight was far from equal, her determination left an indelible mark on the state’s history. Rachel Belden Brooks stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of those who demanded recognition and humanity in a world that sought to deny them both.

Legacy of a Landmark

This house isn’t just a beautiful landmark—it’s a silent witness to a complex tapestry of events, from a shocking murder to the fight for justice in a rapidly changing frontier society. It stands as a reminder that history is never simple. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of light and dark, of triumph and tragedy.

By examining these stories, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Get ready to explore the secrets hidden within its walls in our episode Salem’s Gallows & Grace: The Delaney Murder & Rachel Belden Brooks.