First fraternal organization in Eugene. Location: Originally at 47 W 8th Ave, downtown Eugene, then moved to 992 Olive St. … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Lane County in the 1860's
By 1868 a passenger could travel across Oregon in 60 hours on the Portland to Sacramento stage with Eugene being the mid point and a natural resting stop.
Local Influences
- 1862 Peoples Transportation Company ran the steamboat, “Relief” to Eugene
- 1862 The McKenzie Wagon Road Company built a road over the McKenzie Pass
- 1866 Eugene’s City Brewery founded by L Burns on 9th Ave, the present Washburne Building site (94 W Broadway) building
- 1867 First edition of “Eugene Guard”
National Influences
- 1861 American Civil War (1861-1865). Has a profound impact on American music, spurring the publishing of patriotic songs on both sides, the migration of African Americans, and their styles and instruments, to new locales and the mixing of the music of many peoples and regions in diverse military units. The Civil War also stimulates the production of brass instruments and drums.
- 1862 Homestead Act
- 1863 Morrill Act creating land grant colleges
- 1867 The Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Chicago Musical College and the Cincinnati Conservatory are all founded
Eugene City Brass Band
Eugene's first documented organized band. Active years as a band: 1859 - 1872 Active years as an association: 1872 - 1940s? On March 5, 1859 the Eugene City Brass Band (a 14-piece band) gave a concert at the courthouse. A news item in the People’s Press had this to say about the concert: “…Notwithstanding the rain had poured down for several days wit but little … [Read more...]
Lane Hall/Lane Opera House (1869-1890)
Location: 488 Willamette St. Downtown Eugene Built and operated by Charles Lane. Here the city’s first citizens gathered for traveling shows of various types, as well as other public events. 1869 Lane Hall was the first public structure built after the town was incorporated. The hall was a narrow frame structure with wooden benches located Eighth Avenue west of … [Read more...]
Lane Courthouse (1855-1898)
The first Lane Courthouse, built in 1855 on the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, doubled as the first community center. On March 5, 1859 the Eugene City Brass Band (a 14-piece band) gave a concert at the courthouse. A news item in the People’s Press had this to say about the concert: “…Notwithstanding the rain had poured down for several days wit but little … [Read more...]