WOW Hall (1924-Present)
W.O.W. is an abbreviation for “Woodmen of the World”
Location: 291 W 8th (NE corner of 8th & Lincoln), Eugene, Oregon
Building History
The corner of 8th and Lincoln has been a community gathering place since the days of city founder Eugene Skinner. The first building erected on the site was a small church; it was replaced in 1883 by a First Presbyterian Church building that was considered one Eugene’s finest public structures.
In 1906, the First Presbyterian Church merged with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to become the Central Presbyterian Church, which moved the congregation to a new church building designed by John Hunzicker.
1907 – The church building was sold to the Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization, who used it as the Woodmen of the World (W.O.W) Hall.
The Woodmen of the World fraternal organization was formed in 1880 in Omaha, Nebraska , and soon swept the western states. The Eugene chapter provided health benefits, life insurance and burial costs while undertaking charitable and recreational activities for children and adults. Women participated through a sister organization, the Women of Woodcraft.
1927 Ad: Old Time Dance at WOW Hall 8th and Lincoln
1930’s – The W.O.W. Hall was a vibrant center of activities for the community during the early 1930’s.
At the time a dance hall known as the Wintergarden existed on the corner of 8th and Charnelton. Weekend revelers would merrily promenade back and forth between the Wintergarden and the WOW hall dances. At midnight, the Woodmen would serve and inexpensive but sumptuous breakfast in the basement of the WOW hall.
1932 – The new W.O.W. Hall was built (also designed by the prominent Eugene architect, John Hunzicker).
Oct 4, 1935 Ad: WOW Dance – Reopening – New floor and new music – MODERN
1950’s & 1960’s – In the 1950s, some of Eugene’s early rock and roll dances were staged there and continued through the 60s when a number of small scale promoters rented the Hall for musical productions. By the end of the 1960’s the remaining members were quite elderly and their ranks became thin. The Woodmen continued to provide a weekly old time dance while renting the Hall out for other activities. However the use of the building declined sharply.
1970’s – In the early 1970s the building was rented out for a number of activities related to the Free University, then coordinated by Bill and Cindy Wooten, particularly benefit dances. In 1972, the Hall was leased by E. William Mullholland, who attempted to sponsor a number of musical and theatrical events. After a year, he turned over the management to New Globe Repertory Theater. (Source: WOW Hall Historic PDF)
In 1975 it was learned that the Hall would soon be sold and possibly demolished. To keep the building available to the community, a group of concerned users, performers, neighbors and historical preservation enthusiasts organized the Community Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit (501c3) corporation.
On December 2, 1975 the leaseholder gave notice that he intended to exercise his option to sell the Hall. He informed 130 people who attended a basement meeting that he would give the community first option to buy the Hall at $75,000 but would need a $10,000 down payment within 13 days. To raise the money, supporters organized a WOWATHON: five days and nights of continuous entertainment! The WOWATHON began on Dec. 10 and, with support from the Oregon Country Fair, KLCC, KZEL and many others, the money was raised! Throughout its early years the CCPA faced one crisis after another. Time and again, community support would save the W.O.W. Hall. Volunteerism, a few grants, increasing attendance and severe austerity enabled the CCPA to pay off the Hall’s mortgage in 1983, completing the dream of making the facility, “community-owned and democratically operated.” (Source: WOW Hall History page on their Website)
November 14, 2013 – The Community Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors signed a Deed of Gift with the University of Oregon, completing the legal process for donating WOW Hall records to the UO Archives. More details…
Music History
Vera McAdam’s Orchestra was the house band for the dances from 1951-1957
Aug. 1955 – Eldred Glaspey and his Orchestra
1976 & 1978 – Paul Butterfield
Oct. 1978 – Elizabeth Cotton, Bessie Jones, Guy Carawan
Jan. 21, 1981 – Captian Beefheart & His Magic Band
Aug. 2, 1983 – Def Leppard
July 6, 1986 – Country Joe & the Fish
May 28, 1987 – Nine Days Wonder
1988
- Elvin Bishop and his band
- Looters
- The 77’s – garage rock
- Jim Page of Seattle (folk)
- The Wailers
Aug. 14, 1990 – Widespread Panic
1991
- Pearl Jam
- Alice in Chains
- Phish
1992
- Widespread Panic
- Teri Amos
Feb 11, 1993 – Melvins
Feb 4, 1994 – Starved and Delirious