The first Lane Courthouse, built in 1855 on the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, doubled as the first community center.
On March 5, 1859 the Eugene City Brass Band (a 14-piece band) gave a concert at the courthouse.
A news item in the People’s Press had this to say about the concert: “…Notwithstanding the rain had poured down for several days wit but little cessation, and the streets were deluged with mud and water, yet there was a very full house in attendance…The performances, played on 14 instruments, consisted of singing, and playing with wind and stringed instruments, all well selected for such an occasion-marches, polkas, waltzes, songs, among which were the Star Spangled Banner, Nelly Gray, Beautiful Star, concluding with the Jolly Bachelor.”
