Location: 211/209/201 W 8th St (Charnelton) Eugene The Winter Garden was a popular dance hall / ballroom in the heart of Downtown Eugene for over 20 years. The venue was advertised as, “Eugene’s finest, largest Ballroom with 10,000 sq ft of Eastern Maple Flooring – Smooth as Glass”. It was just four doors down from the […]
Taylor’s
Taylor’s (1922-Present) Originally, Taylor’s was started by Fred and Hersch Taylor (son). Location: 13th St, near University of Oregon Music History Taylor’s is best known for it’s tradition of a friendly atmosphere and great live music. Regular appearances by Curtis Salgado in the 1970’s. Blues Traveler in the 80’s and Widespread Panic in the 90’s all highlight […]
Swimmers’ Delight (1926-1949)
Swimmers’ Delight was a popular music venue, but also well known for it’s swimming hole, baseball field, and rodeos. Location: SW of Goshen Description: Open air pavilion. Opened May 1926 Original Owners: Gainey and Hattie Jacoby My first job was for the opening of Swimmers’ Delight, a new picnic resort three miles south west of Goshen on […]
McDonald Theater (1925-Present)
Location: 1010 Willamette St, Downtown Eugene The McDonald Theatre opened May 7, 1925 and served as a community theatre for both stage and screen performances. After the explosion of motion pictures, the theatre was converted into a movie house and operated as such until 2000. According to an article in the Daily Emerald, the theater was originally named […]
Mac Court at UO (1926-2009)
McArthur Court was the basketball arena on the University of Oregon campus. Also known as the Igloo, The Pit and Mac Court. Architect: Lawrence & Holford Construction began in June 1926 and ended in December of that year. ASUO funded McArthur Court, named for Clifton N. ‘Pat” McArthur, the first president of the ASUO (1899-1900). Initially designed […]
Idylwood Dance Hall (1927-1947)
Location: Benton Lane Park Picnic, Swim, Dance Music History 1927 Sharkey Moore’s Orchestra 1939-1947 The Eldred Glaspy Orchestra played there regularly
Eugene Hotel (1925-1979)
Location: 222 E Broadway, Downtown Eugene Building History The Eugene Hotel opened its doors with dinner, dancing (to big band orchestras) and much fanfare on June 15, 1925. Many prominent people in business and hotel circles throughout the state attended the Grand Opening. The Americanized-Spanish architectural style, with cream-colored stucco finish, caused it to be recognized […]
Dreamland Hall / Moose Lodge
Original Location: 15 W 7th Ave. Downtown Eugene Building History 1923 – Dreamland Hall first mentioned 1925 – Hall has been remodeled and redecorated 1926 – New hardwood maple floor added 1931 – Grand Opening at 7th and Willamette location C. 1934 – Moved to West Broadway After 1952 – Moved to 13th and Chambers Vera […]
Beall Concert Hall (1924 -Present)
Location: 961 E 18th Ave. Eugene University of Oregon Beall Concert Hall was built in 1924. Beall Concert Hall Website
Melody Ranch
Melody Ranch was a country western dance hall located in the Four Corner’s area. Operation Dates: 1947 – 1957 Owner/Operator: Lloyd “Grandpappy” Smith was an upright bass player and bandleader of the Western Valley Boys, the Melody Ranch house band. Location: 2272 Roosevelt Blvd, Eugene, Oregon Attracted Grand Ole Opry touring performers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, and even […]
Cascade Club (1947-1974)
Location: 3202 Jasper Rd, 2 miles east of Springfield, Oregon The Cascade Club was owned and operated by Pat Mason, a major N.W. agent and promoter (Far West Amusements). Pat booked national acts and N.W. local bands to perform primarily on the weekends. The Cascade Club was mostly closed during the week and served as a […]
Leon Smith
Location: West Eugene, Oregon With roots in the early rock ‘n roll scene, now known as Rockabilly music, Leon Smith can be found in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Leon Smith’s 1959 hit single, Little 40 Ford, quickly rose to the top of the charts on the West Coast and allowed him to make his mark […]
Jolly Time Dance Hall
Jolly Time Ballroom / Dance Hall Location: Willamette City / Oakridge, Oregon March 17, 1939 – Gala opening with Bob Ramsey and his Band 1940 – Benefit Dance for Easter Egg Hunt May 24, 1941 – Vern Minkler and his Orchestra 1942 – Westfir Orchestra preceding the dance at Jolly Time …
Bob Ramsey
Drum pedal inventor and musician from Springfield, Oregon The GHOST was designed by J.R. “Bob” Ramsey. Local Drum Pedal Inventor’s Ghost Beats Way to Fame – 1951 RG article Inventor’s Drum Pedal Wows Big-Name Players – April 5, 1951 RG Article Bob Ramsey Writes Details of Life in US Navy Music History Jan 26 1938 – Play […]
Billy Hamilton
Billy Hamilton Orchestra Music History: The Holland – 1946, 47′, 48′ Elks Country Club – 1954 (Hwy 58, 3 miles east of Goshen) The Greenwood – 56′ Billy Hamilton was a well known musician and hand leader in the Eugene/Springfield area. He also gave lessons at Wilson’s Music in Eugene. Before moving to Eugene he […]