The Mohawk Brass Band, also known as the Ping Yang Band, first formed in 1902.
Snapshot of Lane County in the 1910's
Local Influences
- 1910 Electric street car runs to Springfield and College Hill (as far as 29th)
- 1910 Population of Eugene 9009; creates housing shortage
- 1912 Eugene became “dry” town – folks forced to go outside of Eugene City limits to drink alcohol
- 1914 The Eugene chapter receives its charter from the American Federation of Musicians on Dec 16
- A woman who played the piano was considered more marriageable
National Influences
- 1910 The arrival of new immigrants pushed the U.S. population from 62,979,766 in 1890 to 92,228,496 in 1910. The huge growth drove musical instrument sales to new heights between 1890 and 1909. Higher wages led to a growing middle class who pursued music and other cultural refinements to enhance their social status
- 1911 Popular songwriter Irving Berlin completes “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” his first hit; culmination of ragtime craze
- 1912 Composer band leader, “father of the blues,” William Christopher Handy publishes “Memphis Blues”, helps inaugurate new style based on rural black folk music
- 1914 - 1918 World War I affects wholesalers in two ways: musical instruments were taxed at 8% to help the war effort, and the loss of German suppliers led some distributors to import violins from Japan for the first time. Coal and wood shortages during World War I had a profound effect on the piano industry, forcing manufacturers to cut production in half. But, as one manufacturer noted: “The strife of war has greatly enhanced the appreciation of music, creating a robust trade.”
Thurston Community Hall
In 1912, the residents of Thurston built the Thurston Community Hall across from the general store on Thurston Road. It was one of the first buildings in Oregon to be constructed with curved laminated beams that form an arched ceiling and roof. The building was designed by Morris Brown, who had seen a tabernacle with […]
Donna Dance Hall
1914 – 1950’s Original Name of the Store: M.C. Hammitt General Merchandise Original Owners – M.C. and Kathleen Hammitt The legendary dance hall was located upstairs of the Mohawk General Store at the intersection of Donna and Hill Road, east of Springfield. The hall included a bar, stage and small band room. Dances were held every Saturday night. […]
American Federation of Musicians – Local 689
Celebrating 100 years of supporting live music and professional musicians! Local 689 is a chapter of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. Local 689 was granted charter in 1914, making it one of the oldest organizations in Eugene. The Local had its own building at 2489 Portland Street in Eugene between […]
Masonic Temple (1856-Present)
First fraternal organization in Eugene. Location: Originally at 47 W 8th Ave, downtown Eugene, then moved to 992 Olive St.
Eugene Oratorio Society
Eugene Oratorio Society was sponsored by the Department of Music and open to the community. Active Years: 1896 1896-1897 (Department of Music) The Eugene Oratorio Society, organized in 1896 and composed of students and townspeople, met once a week in the Baptist Church. Wallis Gifford Nash was the director. They performed Stainer’s Daughter of Jairus […]
Roach Music House
Location: 986 Willamette Street in the DaPaine Building, downtown Eugene Oregon Active Years: 1909-1915
Laraway Music House
Location History Prior to 1919 – Ninth Avenue east near Willamette Street, downtown Eugene Oregon 1919 to 1935 – Friendly Building on Willamette Street – 960 Willamette Street Owner: Seth Laraway
Morris Music House (1905-1927)
Morris Music House was also known as the Morris Piano House Owned by Harley E. Morris Date: 1905 – 1927 Location: 606 Willamette Street, Eugene, Oregon (pre-1913 street numbers). The store was on the southwest corner of Willamette and 9th Avenue. The street number later changed to 912 Willamette. The music store was housed in the Chrisman […]
Andrew Svarverds
Armory (Eugene)
The Eugene Armory, located in downtown Eugene on the northeast corner of 7th and Oak, was a popular music venue attracting both local and national acts. aka: the Eugene’s National Guard Armory or The Armory. Address: 125 E 7th St., Eugene, Oregon Building History The Armory was built in 1914 and designed by a notable local architect John […]
Rex Underwood
Rex Underwood (violinist) taught Orchestra and Strings at the UO School of Music between 1919-1947. Prior to becoming to the UO he was with the Leipsic Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Bavarian Conservatory of Music. He studied with Joseph Olheizer, Chicago, Hans Becker, Leipzic, Michael Press, Berlin, and Ostrovsky, London. Director of the University Orchestra “The University […]
Mike Gross
Mike Gross Orchestra (1918, 1921)
Eugene’s Firemen Band
Eugene’s Firemen Band was based in Eugene Oregon in the early 1900’s. Members wearing uniforms with brass buttons and tall hats with tassels, pose with their horns and drums. Genre: Brass Band for Marching Active Years: 1910
Cole McElroy
Cole McElroy (1888 – 1947) J. Cole McElroy, also known as “Pop” McElroy was a popular Jazz musician and widely known dance hall manager from Oregon. “Born in Corvallis to E.B. McElroy, he moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon in the late 1800’s. He graduated from UO in 1900. In 1910, after nine years managing his father’s […]