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. According to current owner, … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Lane County in the 1920's
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 1960 and 1999? Dec 1960 - … [Read more...]
Masonic Temple (1856-Present)
First fraternal organization in Eugene. Location: Originally at 47 W 8th Ave, downtown Eugene, then moved to 992 Olive St. … [Read more...]
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 in Villard Hall … [Read more...]
George McMurphey and the Kollege Knights
George McMurphey (1902-1979) was a the band leader of several orchestras based in Eugene, Oregon. 1926 Article in RG indicated that George became the manager of a local musical booking agency. 1926 - 1928 George McMurphey and the "Kollege Knights was the nation's 10 best dance and show bands. The jazz band was made up of University of Oregon students, many from … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 Building, erected in … [Read more...]
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 Hunzicker (1867-1945), who … [Read more...]
Herschel Davis (1901-1984)
Accomplished musician, Herschel Davis, was well renowned in the Northwest for his swing and big band music. He directed his own orchestras and played piano and the organ in the Eugene area from 1921 – 1974. Herschel was born to P. Waldo Davis and Lizzie DeMoss, of the famous musical family, The DeMoss Family Bards of Oregon. Herschel grew up on the stage and was known as the … [Read more...]
Eldred Glaspey
Eldred Glaspey played the Violin and Saxaphone and was renowned in the Willamette Valley for his swing and big band music. Eldred was born in Fall Creek, Oregon October 21, 1912. He graduated from Springfield High School and studied music at the University of Oregon. He performed for over seventy years, from the 1920’s through the 1990’s at various dance venues throughout the … [Read more...]