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 W.O.W. Hall and as the story goes, dancers would stroll … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Lane County in the 1940's
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 the … [Read more...]
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 the Coast Fork Willamette … [Read more...]
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 Lowell Theater, … [Read more...]
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 to seat 6000, later … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 McAdams recalls, "The Moose Hall was … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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, … [Read more...]