Getting to Know Eugene
Surrounding Eugene
 Tucked in the southern end of
Willamette Valley, adjacent its sister city Springfield, Eugene is the second largest Oregon city with a population of approximately 150,000 people and covering
an estimated 35 square miles. Only an
hour from the rugged beauty of
Oregon's
coastline, an hour from the majestic Cascade Mountains, an hour from the state
capital (
Salem), and two hours from bustling metropolitan
Portland;
Eugene
truly has it all. Spencer Butte (2,054 ft.) presides
over the southern end of town rewarding the hardy hiker with 360 degree views
of the valley. Anchoring the northern downtown district is Skinner Butte, a
romantic lover's lane looking out over the city lights. (Each summer, runners
compete in the popular 10 K Butte to
Butte.)
The Willamette River winds through
Eugene
merging into the prize fly fishing waters of the
McKenzie
River
just outside of town. Mild winters and
warm summers bless the city with an average temperature of 53 degrees. Annual rainfall is 43 inches, creating a
lush, green appeal and falling mainly in the winter months. Despite a bad wrap
for gray skies and high pollen counts, Eugene's weather features
many gorgeous summer days that extend into golden autumns.
Early Eugene
 The Kalapuya Indians were the first
occupants of the Willamette Valley. In 1846, Eugene Franklin Skinner built a cabin
which served as a general trading post, and then later as a post office. Ambitious to build a town, his first attempt
was drowned out by torrential rains and disparaged as "Skinner's Mud Hole," but
on June 6, 1853 (on higher ground) he successfully established Eugene City
(today, City of Eugene). Settlers arrived quickly and by 1858
Eugene had grown by 500
residents. The Oregon-California Railway
(now Southern Pacific) reached
Eugene
in 1871. Historic homes and buildings,
such as the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House,
are still clustered in the neighborhood by Skinner Butte. The Lane County Historical
Museum provides an excellent record of the valley's history.
Schools
 Eugene
is home to the University of Oregon, Lane Community College and half a dozen
faith-based and professional schools, with a high percentage of its population
holding undergraduate degrees. Well known artists and colorful celebrities have
retreated here including Jan Eliot ( Stone
Soup), Ken Kesey ( One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest), and Gus Van Sant (filmmaker, director). Hollywood put Eugene on the big screen with scenes
from Animal House (John Belushi), Five Easy Pieces (Jack Nicholson), Stand By Me, and Without Limits—a portrayal of Eugene resident and celebrity runner
Steve Prefontaine.
Sports & Activities
 Eugene substantiates the moniker "
Track Town, USA with an extensive network of jogging trails, bike paths, pedestrian bridges, athletic
fields and swimming pools. The historic Hayward
Field has repeatedly hosted the Olympic Game Trials and the National Track and
Field Championships. The giant corporation, Nike, Inc.,
began here (founder Phil Knight ran track at U of O) and Runner's World named us one of "10 Best Running Cities," and Sports Illustrated called
Eugene "an outdoor
enthusiast's mecca." And certainly Eugene's climate and surrounding
countryside support an active lifestyle for winter skiing, summer hiking,
camping, rafting, fishing, boating, kayaking, horseback riding and gardening. Kiddie sports programs are readily available
through the city and the local YMCA. Over 2,000 acres of
parkland include playgrounds, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball
courts, a skateboarding park, bowling alleys, a roller rink, dog parks, community
gardens and a lighted softball complex. Stroll through the Owen Memorial Rose
Garden (5 acres), the Hendricks
Park Rhododendron Garden (featuring over 6,000 rhododendrons and azaleas),
or hike the South Hills Ridgeline Trail or Mount
Pisgah Arboretum (209 acres with miles of hiking trails). Basking in the
great outdoors, you'll see Eugeneans turn out for summer music concerts at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre in
Alton Baker Park (and local
neighborhood parks), the Pickle Family Circus, and Art & the Vineyard.
For the avid sports spectator,
Eugene was ranked #7 "Best
Places to be a College Fan" by Sports
Illustrated, 2003. Cheer on the minor league Eugene Emeralds
at the Civic Stadium or the University of Oregon's Duck
NCAA basketball team in the 10,000 seat historic MacArthur Court or show
your spirit for Duck
Football at the 42,000-seat Autzen Stadium, sixth largest nationwide! Bring earplugs; we have a reputation for
being deafening!
Dining & Shopping
But sports fans step aside…
Eugene is no slouch on
the dining or shopping scene either. We've
got the raw and slow food movements and
James
Beard Foundation award recipients too! Plenty of organic and locally produced meats, vegetables and fruits line
grocery store shelves and grace local restaurant menus. Northwest specialties include fresh
Oregon salmon, lamb,
coastal seafood, Tillamook cheese, wines, microbrews, apples, pears, hazelnuts
and berries. Nancy's organic yogurt is produced
here. Euphoria Chocolates are
made here. Award-winning ethnic, vegetarian,
vegan and gourmet restaurants are tucked into corners around the city. Some of
our best include Marche, McMenamin's North Bank, Café Soriah, Café Zenon, and Ambrosia. For casual dining taste the famous
tomato cheese soup at the Glenwood or fall in love with Pegasus Pizza BBQ chicken pizza.
The applause isn't just for
Eugene arts and culture either. In 2000, Forbes
ranked Eugene in the "Top 100 Best Places to Do Business and Advance Your
Career," Mother Jones ranked U of O
as the #1 "Most Politically Active Student Body in the Nation," and Offspring Magazine listed the Eugene
School District in the "Top 100 Best Public School Districts" nationwide. We've also been recognized as the "
Fifth Best City for Jobs" and "38th Best City for Women" by Ladies' Home Journal in
2002. So it wasn't too big a surprise to
be named the #1 "City to Retire" by Money
Magazine in 2001 after housing costs, tax rates, crime statistics and more
were compared to almost 500 other towns.
Diverse
Today,
Eugene showcases a diverse blend of attitudes
and lifestyles. A glance at our local
events calendar perfectly describes our community make-up. First we have a
wholesome hippie streak best displayed at the annual Country Fair. Next our more traditional Lane County Fair showcases our grounded
blue collar roots through our bountiful agricultural and timber industries,
vineyards and valley farms. The Oregon
Bach Festival ensures our visibility and national recognition as a fine
arts community. Eugene's
Business to Business Expo keeps our entrepreneurs and net-workers busy
shaking hands. The Lane Current Calendar
will alert us where political sign waving will be held on any given day. And our
own annual Eugene Marathon adds to
our clout as the nation's running capital. But all of us Eugeneans come together in our utmost expression of ourselves
and our eclectic community at the beloved Eugene Celebration every
September. Yes, Eugene is a great town. It is a beautiful garden of grasslands,
wooded hillsides, old neighborhoods, bustling city centers and growing economy. It is artsy, athletic, industrious,
ambitious, diverse, political, laid-back and full of personality. You'll love it here. Welcome home!
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Getting to know Eugene
