In 1850 Asahel Bush, at the age of 26 arrived in Oregon City, the territorial capital. Soon, he started the Oregon Statesman newspaper. After the capital was moved to Salem, he followed, and later his paper eventually became known as the Salem Statesman Journal. He built this house in 1877 for a cost of $5,000. The home was occupied by Mr. Bush or members of his family until 1953. br/br/ In 1913 Bush donated 57 acres of his estate to the City of Salem, and in 1946 an additional 43 acres were added. Today, the 90-acre Bush's Pasture Park contains br/ walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, groves of trees, apple and cherry orchards, and a rose garden. nThe house itself is now a museum and is open to the public.