Snapshot of Lane County in the 1880's

Amusement and entertainment revolves around theaters and dance halls. Vaudeville gains popularity. Dance and music venues are dual purpose (roller skate/dance floors).

Local Influences

• 1884 Population reaches 2,000 in Eugene
• 1884 First Lane County Fair
• 1884 Eugene Register first edition
• 1885 Villard Hall built on UO campus
• 1886 D. W. Coolidge, Professor of Music, Piano, Organ, and Harmony began the one-person department at the UO with 31 piano students and 2 organ students (2 men and 29 women)
• 1887 Railroad completed to California. Oregon and California Railroad became Southern Pacific Railroad run by UO patron Henry Villard
• 1887 Electric lighting system introduced
• 1888 Name changed to Eugene
• 1888 The Wildcat Creek Road pushed west from Elmira to Mapleton
• 1888 Mary E. McCornack assumes the position of Director of Conservatory of Music (UO)

 
National Influences

• 1880 First American symphony - "In Spring" is written and performed by John Knowles Paine and is the first American symphony published in our nation. This can mark the beginning of American symphonies and their success.
• 1881 Boston Symphony Orchestra established
• 1883 Metropolitan Opera House opens in New York
• 1888 Columbia Records is founded as the first major record label in country. Columbia found major success with the invention of vinyl records which revolutionized music in US