Active Years: 1937 - 1990's Ralph W. Wilson (owner/operator from 1937 – 1950) 1932 - Ralph Wilson and biz partner open small music store on W Broadway 1937 - Re-opens under Wilson Music House at 39 E 10th Ave. 1950 - Ralph retires and his son Bob Wilson and business partner Glen E. Houchen continues business By 1959 the store was located at 1070 Willamette Street 1970 - … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Lane County in the 1930's
Mammy’s Cabin
Popular music venue in Glenwood. Advertised to UO students. … [Read more...]
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. According to current owner, … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
Vern Minkler (1916-1984)
Vern Minkler was an baseball player, musician and music venue owner in Lane County. Background: 1916 - Born in Oklahoma 1932 - Name in RG Vaughn News Notes - attending a social 1937 - Worked at the Vaughn Store 1939 - Lived in Oakridge, Oregon 1938 - Baseball player for the Public Market (center fielder for local team) 1939 - New Manager at Central … [Read more...]
Art Holman
Art Holman (?-1961) Art Holman was a popular musician and band leader in Eugene, Oregon in the mid 1930's to late 1940's. He went to the University of Oregon and was a UO Track Star in the early 1930's. According to Duck track coach Bill Bowerman, Art Holman was “a very fine quarter-miler, a pretty good low hurdler and a very fine musician”. Bill Bowerman was also an … [Read more...]
Archie Parrott (1914-1972)
Archie Parrott and his orchestra played for many dances up and down the Willamette Valley and often traveled with many instruments. In the photo to the right, they are playing in a musical bandstand built of lattice work with a stylish decorative backdrop in Eugene’s Willamette Park in 1936. (Oct 17, 1936 RG article) Archie (standing) came from a Portland family of … [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...]