They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot

A photograph of the old Eugene Armory posted by Jim Purscelley to the Forgotten Oregon Facebook group inspired me to write this blog entry. I had no idea such a remarkable building existed where the downtown branch of Umpqua Bank now stands. Indeed, it’s difficult for me to imagine Eugene’s downtown as it once was overall. People who’ve lived in Eugene far longer than I have may well remember the many significant older buildings, now lost to time, that served as a fine backdrop for a once-bustling city center. 

I won’t get into the details of why so many of the buildings featured here had to be torn down, mostly because I’m not entirely sure (please comment below if you know). Misguided 1960s and 1970s urban renewal was the culprit in a few instances, but not all of them. No doubt radically shifting needs and safety concerns prompted the razing of others. Tragically, some of the buildings featured in this post were literally removed only to be replaced with parking lots. 

I do remember the first time I visited Eugene (as I contemplated attending architecture school at the University of Oregon) thinking that—with the notable exception of the UO campus—the city was oddly lacking in architectural texture. So much seemed lifeless and absent the rich layering of historical markers characteristic of towns and cities people are drawn to. If I recall correctly, the downtown pedestrian mall was already an abject failure, the hollowed-out core of what should have been a regional draw; however, this doesn’t explain why nondescript, single-story shops replaced many of the older, taller buildings that once lined Broadway between Willamette and Charnelton. 

There are a few sources that preserve, in photos at least, the history we have lost. One is the book Eugene (Images of America) by David G. Turner. Another is the Lane County History Museum. The blog Eugene Lost & Found by J Bart is a rich trove of material, though it appears to be dormant since 2013. At the risk of incurring the reproach of Ms./Mr. Bart (I don’t know this person) and the sources of the photos she/he used, I’m including below direct excerpts from Eugene Lost & Found that describe a few of the notable buildings that once proudly stood.(1) 

Eugene Armory

Here is a view of the old National Guard Armory, which stood on the northeast corner of 7^th and Oak, now the site of Umpqua Bank. Torn down around 1975 after much protest from early preservationists, nothing replaced the building until the early 90s and the corner served as a parking lot in the intervening years. 

Old City Hall

Here is a view of the Old Eugene High School of 1906, which stood on the southwest corner of 11^th and Willamette Street. In 1915 the building was turned into the Eugene City Hall with the addition of a large wing to the rear and an entrance portico on the front facing Willamette Street. The building continued to house the city offices until the construction of the current City Hall in 1964. The building was razed soon after and replaced with the current bank building that has occupied the site ever since.

Geary School

Named for Dr. Edward Geary, an early Eugene educator, the Geary School built circa 1890 stood on the northwest corner of 4^th and Madison until about 1950 when it was torn down after serving as the Eugene Vocational School. One of the largest school buildings in Eugene at the time, it stood over two stories over a full basement, with a large attic gymnasium and a prominent bell tower. The building with its tasteful Victorian ornamentation was particularly attractive. The property, still owned by the 4J School District, houses offices and maintenance buildings. 

Intersection Broadway and Oak

What a shame the two nice turn-of-the-century commercial buildings on the NE and SE corners of Broadway and Oak were demolished and replaced with ugly 1970s concrete monstrosities that stand there today. This streetscape lost all its continuity with their removal. At the time this photo was taken in October 1928 they housed two competing grocery stores, one being Safeway. Further down Broadway on the right can be seen the Miner Building, which at that time housed Applegate’s Furniture on the ground floor. Other businesses on the block were Crown Drug and Jensen’s Café. 

Hovey Block 

This fabulous commercial building was built in 1888 by Albert Hovey on the NE corner of 8^th and Willamette and was known as the Hovey Block. For many years it housed a bank on the ground floor and attorneys George Skipworth, Charles Wintermeier, and George Doris. Other tenants were Isaac Bingham Land Company and J.A. Maurer Jewelers. The building was razed about 1920 after only standing 30 years. A very ugly parking structure has stood on this spot for the last 30 years. There certainly were a lot more people downtown 120 years ago than there are today. 

Patterson School

Another wonderful old Eugene school building was Patterson, built in 1901 on the northwest corner of 13^th and Alder. Named for Dr. Andrew Patterson, who along with his duties as an early physician was also a teacher. In use until 1930, the building was razed circa 1936 to make room for additions to Sacred Heart Hospital, who still use the site as a parking lot in its University District campus. The current Ida Patterson School is named for Dr. Patterson’s daughter, another longtime Eugene educator. 

The White Temple (IOOF Building)

For many years this building, which stood on the northwest corner of Broadway and Oak (now the site of the Wells Fargo Bank main branch), was the largest commercial structure downtown. Just north of the site can be seen the West Park Block. Out of view to the right was the East Park Block, and farther north of that stood the old County Courthouse until its replacement in 1959 with the current structure. The Park Blocks have for many years been the site of the Saturday Market. 

The Osborn Hotel

The Osborn Hotel was built in 1910 on the NW corner of 8^th and Pearl Street. The main entrance faced 8^th Avenue. It was Eugene’s largest and finest hotel until the completion of the Eugene Hotel in 1925. The Osborn had both ladies’ and gentlemen’s parlors which were elaborately furnished, a billiard room, and a huge dining room. Several pieces from the Osborn, namely the beautiful Chinese chair, are in the collection of the Lane County Pioneer Museum. 

Carnegie Library 

For many years this was Eugene’s library, which stood on the SE corner of 11^th and Willamette. It was a Carnegie library, which like hundreds around the world was a gift from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. 

Old Lane County Courthouse 

Here is a view toward the northeast of the old Lane County Courthouse. The Spanish American War Memorial fountain can be seen still intact on the corner (it can be seen today minus its wrought iron lantern at the Pioneer Museum) amid the lushly landscaped grounds. The structure, built in 1898, was nearly identical to the Polk County Courthouse (which incidentally still stands, beautifully preserved and still in use in Dallas, Oregon) and was demolished in the late 1950s. Why any one person, let alone a group of county administrators, would decide to raze this beautiful building is an astounding mystery. Even if the building had been outgrown it could have modified for use as the city hall or even the Lane County Pioneer Museum. A small sample of the gorgeous interior woodwork, namely the grand staircase and the courtroom interior, can be viewed in the collection of the Pioneer Museum. 

Regrettably, Eugene has proven proficient at erasing much of its architectural heritage. A few notable exceptions remain, including the Eugene Hotel, Miner Building, Quackenbush Building, Smeede Hotel, Tiffany Building, Lane Building, downtown Post Office, Schaefer’s Building, McDonald Theater, the former First Baptist Church (now the home of the Shedd Institute for the Arts), and First Christian Church. I have noted downtown’s revival in recent years as well. On the flip side, I also addressed the leveling of both Hayward Field’s historic east grandstand and Eugene City Hall, albeit with mixed feelings (particularly for City Hall). The bottom line is what’s lost will never be replaced as it once was. Such is the price of progress, some will say.    

(1)   I do want to be respectful of copyright laws and requirements, so let me know if I need to take down any images or properly secure licensing rights.