754 Olive Street. Some of the most famous include Nike, Taco Time, and Brderbund Software. Portland's name was chosen in a toss-up One of the most important historical facts relating to Portlandis also one of the least-commonly known: in 1842, the city was just a coin flip away from becoming Boston, Oregon. This page was last modified on 29 October 2022, at 19:05. The city operates and maintains scenic hiking trails that pass through and across the ridges of a cluster of hills in the southern portion of the city, on the fringe of residential neighborhoods. 6. jazz festival at the Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM). The Oregon Trail was one of the most used routes during the western expansion of the US. [3] Oregon's state tree, the Douglas fir, was transplanted to other regions of the world by 19th-century botanist David Douglas. If you're interested in things to do in Eugene with an educational edge, be sure to check out Oregon Air & Space Museum. Lane United FC, a soccer club that participates in the Northwest Division of USL League Two, was founded in 2013 and plays its home games at Civic Park. The first major educational institution in the area was Columbia College, founded a few years earlier than the University of Oregon. Delta Highway: The Delta Highway forms a connector of less than 2 miles (3.2km) between Interstate 105 and Beltline Highway. Copyright 2019 von Klein Rentals. Oregon sports a fairly unique state flag when compared to other states, it is in fact, the only state flag to have different designs on each side. The Volunteers in Medicine & Occupy Medical clinics provide free medical and mental care to low-income adults without health insurance. The racial makeup of the city was 85.8% White, 4.0% Asian, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 4.7% from other races. 13. Ronald Reagan was the first person to cross the Coronado Bridge. In fact, Historic Hayward Field is one of the most famous track and field-only facilities in the world.. 4. Oregon lies on the West Coast of the USA, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and four other states. Eugene residents also frequent Hoodoo and Mount Bachelor ski resorts. Sightseeing. Eugenes official slogan is A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors. The sign for the Eugene Drive-in movie theater is still standing. So you should probably invest in a good tent before you come to Oregon. The City of Eugene condemned Eugene's private water utility and began treating river water (first the Willamette; later the McKenzie) for domestic use. In 2009, the League of American Bicyclists cited Eugene as 1 of 10 "Gold-level" cities in the U.S. because of its "remarkable commitments to bicycling." The problem has been referenced in popular culture, including in the episode The 30% Iron Chef in Futurama. We have curated a list of 24 interesting facts about Oregon, delving into many different aspects of the state, the people, the economy, and some random facts too! Decades after its publication, A Pattern Language is still one of the best-selling books on urban design. The vehicle was traveling at a smokin' hot 159 miles per hour. Oregon has had three capitol buildings in Salem. The footwear repair product Shoe Goo is manufactured by Eclectic Products, based in Eugene. Oregon Route 126 continues west, a portion shared with Oregon Route 99, and continues west to. More than 100 years ago, pioneers took refuge and relaxed here. 10. Eugene is the only U.S. city to host three consecutive U.S. Olympic Team Trials Track & Field (1972, 1976, 1980). Eugene Has A Low Crime Rate. 1. There are also two branches of the Eugene Public Library, the Sheldon Branch Library in the neighborhood of Cal Young/Sheldon, and the Bethel Branch Library, in the neighborhood of Bethel. Oregon, established in 1859, is known for its wild west history and numerous natural wonders. All Rights Reserved. Eugene is home to the oldest Black Tartarian cherry tree in the United States. Northwest Christian University (formerly Northwest Christian College), founded in 1895, has ties with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In this process, the mixed race families began to impact Native access to land, food supply, and traditional materials for trade and religious practices. It is 2354% greater than the overall U.S. average. Eugene is also the birthplace and home of Bike Friday bicycle manufacturer Green Gear Cycling. Eugene is home to numerous cultural organizations, including the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Ballet, the Eugene Opera, the Eugene Concert Choir, the Northwest Christian University Community Choir, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Bach Festival, the Oregon Children's Choir, the Eugene Youth Symphony, Ballet Fantastique and Oregon Festival of American Music. The population density was 3,572.2 people per square mile. South Sister, Cascade Mountains Jogging was introduced to the U.S. through Eugene, brought from New Zealand by Bill Bowerman, who wrote the best-selling book "Jogging", and coached the champion University of Oregon track and cross country teams. The City of Eugene has an active Neighborhood Program. Burrowing owls, snowy plovers, sage grouse, and osprey are some of Oregon's avian residents. The Oregon Bach Festival is a major international festival in July, hosted by the University of Oregon. Stephen leads the Tourism department, overseeing strategic promotion of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast destination to the leisure market. Oregon Air & Space Museum. 9. The 340-member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene (UUCE) purchased the former Eugene Scottish Rite Temple in May 2010, renovated it, and began services there in September 2012. Since the founder of Nike is an Oregon alum, all of their sports apparel are sponsored by Nike and as of December 2012 a physics professor calculated that Oregon Football had 9,984 different uniform combos. Oregon is known for its artsy cities, dense forests, stunning landscapes and, of course, for being at the end of the Oregon Trail. Not only are there freaks everywhere, but its a known fact in Oregon they cut funding to all the mental homes back in the day, so as a result there are just crazy people roaming the streets everywhere you go here. There were 61,444 housing units at an average density of 1,516.4 per square mile (585.5/km). It was used as a trading post and was registered as an official post office on January 8, 1850. All rights reserved. Oregon is bordered by Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California and the Pacific Ocean. Spencer Butte Park at the southern edge of town provides access to Spencer Butte, a dominant feature of Eugene's skyline. The Oregon Ducks' home field is Autzen Stadium, an outdoor football stadium in Eugene, Oregon. At this time the settlement was known as Skinner's Mudhole. Eugene, Oregon is growing somewhat quickly. Fact 9. The state of Oregon is the ninth largest state in the US with a total area of 98,381 square miles. Take a look below for 25 fascinating and awesome facts about Eugene, Oregon, United States. Two track and field movies about the life of Steve Prefontaine, Prefontaine and Without Limits were released within a year of each other in 19971998. Eugene also has a growing reggae and street-performing bluegrass and jug band scene. The Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered at nearby Fort Clatsop in 1806. Another important stream is Amazon Creek, whose headwaters are near Spencer Butte. The Eugene area has a sizeable LDS Church presence, with three stakes, consisting of 23 congregations (wards and branches). Nicholson directed the 1971 film Drive, He Said in Eugene. Eugene, Oregon facts for kids Kids Encyclopedia Facts Eugene ( YOO-jeen) is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest. Some authorities suggest the Brownsville Kalapuyans (Calapooia Kalapuyans) were related to the Pee-you. It is at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles (80 km) east of the Oregon Coast. There are tons of interesting facts about Oregon that they don't teach you in school though. By 1900, Pendleton had a population of 4,406 and was the fourth-largest city in Oregon. Other Kalapuyan tribes occupied villages that are also now within Eugene city limits. The illustrious Crater Lake, located in Oregon's only National Park, is quite a sight to behold. In 2022, the city will host the 18th Track and Field World Championships. A short distance away, on the University of Oregon campus, is where this stadium is located. Both sides have a field of navy blue with a design in gold. Zerophilia was filmed in Eugene in 2006. The per capita income for the city was $21,315. It is possible to see Eugene's trend-setting non-profit tendencies in much newer projects, such as the Tango Center and the Center for Appropriate Transport. LTD also operates a bus rapid transit line that runs between Eugene and SpringfieldEmerald Express (EmX)much of which runs in its own lane, with stations providing for off-board fare payment. Foreign language immersion programs in the district are available in Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese. The estimated population of Eugene is 168,302, as of 2019. A number of live theater groups are based in Eugene, including Free Shakespeare in the Park, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, The Very Little Theatre, Actors Cabaret, LCC Theatre, and University Theatre. Run Gum was created by track athlete Nick Symmonds and track and field coach Sam Lapray in 2014. Eugene grew rapidly throughout most of the twentieth century, with the exception being the early 1980s when a downturn in the timber industry caused high unemployment. 9. On 1/31/1922 at 13:17:28, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 263.6 miles away from the city center On 11/8/1980 at 10:27:34, a magnitude 7.2 (6.2 MB, 7.2 MS, 7.2 MW, 7.0 ML) earthquake . I'm your host, Harvey, and - week by week - I'll be taking you on a tour around this great nation of ours, providing you with interesting - yet completely useless, and probably untrue - information about each of the 50 . Details. Between 1843 and 1884, over 12 000 Missouri emigrants traveled 2000 miles to Oregon territory. As of the 2010 census, Eugene had a population of 156,185; it is the county seat of Lane County and the states third most populous city after Portland and Salem, though recent state estimates suggest its population may have surpassed Salems. The meteoric rise and growth of the Oregon Ducks Division I college football program, which has become perennial conference (and even national) championship contenders within the past two decades. In fact, the world's largest living organism can be seen in this state! (New Jersey is the other.) TheEugene Airport (EUG)is 15 minutes from downtown Eugene. Males had a median income of $35,549 versus $26,721 for females. 5. The largest sports arena in Oregon, it has the potential to become one of the collegiate sports' loudest stadiums when filled-54,000 roaring Duck . 503-623-6181. McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend are in Springfield. Hendricks Park, situated on a knoll to the east of downtown, is known for its rhododendron garden and nearby memorial to Steve Prefontaine, known as Pre's Rock, where the legendary University of Oregon runner was killed in an auto accident. Principal performing arts venues include the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts ("The Shedd"), Matthew Knight Arena, Beall Concert Hall and the Erb Memorial Union ballroom on the University of Oregon campus, the McDonald Theatre, and W.O.W. The Crater Lake, with a depth of up to 2,000 feet, makes it the deepest lake in America and places it amongst the top 10 deepest lakes in the world. In 2007 their effort was named Third Best Community Effort by the Eugene Weekly, and by the end of 2008 they had raised enough money to purchase the property. The "Chicken Salad on Toast" scene in the 1970 Jack Nicholson movie Five Easy Pieces was filmed at the Denny's restaurant at the southern I-5 freeway interchange near Glenwood. Fact 7. Eugene Skinner and his wife, Mary, were the original settlers in Eugene, which is where the city gets its name. We all know Bend has great skiing, beautiful scenery, fabulous beerpretty much the same things most mountain towns have. Hall. In 2005, the city council unanimously approved a new slogan for the city: "World's Greatest City for the Arts & Outdoors". Just be sure to visit during late Spring through early Autumn, as the elevation makes weather a bit tricky, with lots of road closures, during the winter months. Corpus Christi is America's "birdiest" city, with more individual species of birds than any other US city. Eugenes slogan is A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors. Our area is known as one of Americas most livable communities with easy access to arts and culture, numerous parks and gardens, culinary offerings and miles of running and bike trails. It's known for its wild west past and diverse, scenic landscape of beaches, farms, forests, and mountains. Asian Celebration, presented by the Asian Council of Eugene and Springfield, takes place in February at the Lane County Fairgrounds. 22,298 TOTAL ENROLLMENT 18,604 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 3,694 GRADUATE STUDENTS The UO offers 1,583 undergraduate classes per term. Eugene's average annual temperature is 52.1F (11.2C), and annual precipitation at 50.9 inches (1,290mm). Everyone here is just nuts. Eugene's jogging trails include Pre's Trail in Alton Baker Park, Rexius Trail, the Adidas Oregon Trail, and the Ridgeline Trail. Generals, a Tier III Junior "A" ice hockey team belonging to the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NPHL) consisting of 8 teams throughout Oregon and Washington, plays at the Lane County Ice Center. Much of Corpus Christi was destroyed by a hurricane in 1919. 2000 - 322,963 It lies in the Pacific Northwest region on the West Coast of the United States. To the north, I-5 leads to the Willamette Valley and, Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway: Oregon Route 126 is routed along the Eugene-Springfield Highway, a limited-access freeway. Mason Williams puts on a yearly Christmas show at the Hult center for performing arts with a full orchestra produced by author, audio engineer and University of Oregon professor Don Latarski. Granted, that crime rate is higher than the national average, but compared to cities Lincoln or Portland, Eugene is safe. It's a gently flowing river springing from the Cascade Mountains, which are reflected in its glassy surface. Corporate headquarters for the employee-owned Bi-Mart corporation and family-owned supermarket Market of Choice remain in Eugene. Website. First played in 1894. Beginning in the 1960s, the countercultural ideas and viewpoints espoused by Ken Kesey became established as the seminal elements of the vibrant social tapestry that continue to define Eugene. Luckey's Club Cigar Store is one of the oldest bars in Oregon. Many people commute to work by bicycle every month of the year. 20. 4610 square miles/ Eugene, Oregon is a city. Pres Rock Memorial to distance runner Steve Prefontaine. The coolest month is December, with the average daytime high in the mid-40sF (78C), and nights averaging just above freezing. Despite being located about 100 miles (160km) south and having only a slightly higher elevation, Eugene has a more continental climate, less subject to the maritime air that blows inland from the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River. Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in the United States. Posted by Harvey on 6 November 2006, 8:40 am. Kenny Moore, Eugene-trained Olympic runner and co-star in Prefontaine, co-wrote the screenplay for Without Limits. Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center, which is "dedicated to the music and people of Zimbabwe," is based in Eugene. Eugene is noted for its "community inventiveness." An unusual eco-village with natural building techniques and large shared garden can be found in Jefferson Westside neighborhood. Pee-you or Mohawk Calapooians, Winefelly or Pleasant Hill Calapooians, and the Lungtum or Long Tom. There are 132 questions on this topic. 13. Summertime events and festivals frequently have bike parking "corrals" that are often filled to capacity by three hundred or more bikes. UO Facts | Admissions Facts and Figures Get to know the University of Oregon and explore our academics, enrollment, student body, student life, and athletics. 10,385 feet (3,157 m). 1990 - 282,912, Source:Population Research Center, Portland State University. Eugene is the seat of Lane County and the state's second largest city after Portland. Here are some facts all about the geography of Oregon. 3. LTD also offers paratransit. Eugene also has a Ukrainian Catholic Church named Nativity of the Mother of God. 16. Air travel is served by the Eugene Airport, also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, which is the fifth largest airport in the Northwest and second largest airport in Oregon. Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center - Travel Lane County. The greater Eugene-Springfield area also has a Jehovah's Witnesses presence with five Kingdom Halls, several having multiple congregations in one Kingdom Hall. The U.S. Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey reported that Eugene had a bicycle commuting mode share of 7.3% in 2011, the fifth highest percentage nationwide among U.S. cities with 65,000 people or more, and 13 times higher than the national average of 0.56%. The median age was 33 years. In 2006, an initiative began to create a tenant-run development process for downtown Eugene. If you watch the show and pay close attention, there are multiple landmarks and environments that were inspired by Eugene (Maxs Tavern is almost a shot-for-shot copy of Moes from the show). The University of Oregon's participatory planning process, known as The Oregon Experiment, was the result of student protests in the early 1970s. In the city, the population was 20.3% under the age of 18, 17.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. Woody Hindman & Tom Kaarhus Developers of the McKenzie River Driftboat in the 1930s. French fur traders had settled seasonally in the Willamette Valley by the beginning of the 19th century. Highways traveling within and through Eugene include: Eugene is the home of Oregon's largest publicly owned water and power utility, the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB). Phil Knight, Nikes current owner, founded the company in 1964 with his track coach at UO, Bill Bowerman. The Nike corporation had its beginnings in Eugene. The cabin was used as a trading post and was registered as an official post office on January 8, 1850. Fun Facts About Oregon. Eugene is one of the few municipalities in the US that does not fluoridate its water supply. As of the 2010 census, Eugene had a population of 156,185; it is the county seat of Lane County and the state's third most populous city after Portland and Salem, though recent state estimates suggest its population may have surpassed Salem's. The racial makeup of the city was 88.15% White, down from 99.5% in 1950, 3.57% Asian, 1.25% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 3.72% from two or more races. Moore had also had a role in Personal Best. It provides participants with an introduction to a large range of microbrewery and craft beers, which play an important role in Pacific Northwest culture and the economy. The Pendleton Woolen Mills and Pendleton Round Up became features of the city captured in early paintings by Walter S. Bowman. Oregon is the only U.S. State with an official nut. Eugene ( YOO-jeen) is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest. For nearly 40 years, Eugene has been the "Track and Field Capital of the World." Though some Natives escaped being swept into the reservation, most were moved to the Grand Ronde reservation in 1856. Doom metal band YOB is among the leaders of the Eugene heavy music scene. Ken Kesey one of the most prolific thinkers and authors of the era was originally from Eugene. Images on this site may be subject to copyright. Alton Baker Park, next to the Willamette River, contains Pre's Trail. Eugene is also home to the Eugene Emeralds, a short-season Class A minor-league baseball team. 14. But much of the Willamette Valley's rich topsoil . Kenny Moore also wrote a biography of Bill Bowerman, played in Without Limits by Donald Sutherland back in Eugene 20 years after he had appeared in Animal House. Some trails allow biking, and others are for hikers and runners only. Bobby Doerr Professional baseball player and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 6. American football is especially popular, with intense rivalries between the Ducks and both the Oregon State University Beavers and the University of Washington Huskies. In the 1800s their traditional way of life faced significant changes due to devastating epidemics and settlement, first by French fur traders and later by an overwhelming number of American settlers. Originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, the first iteration of the company had Bowerman and Knight simply acting as distributors for the Japanese shoe company, Onitsuka Tiger, by selling pairs out of the trunk of his car at track meets. When crop activities waned, they returned to their winter villages and took up hunting, fishing, and trading. Randy Pap Beltline: Beltline is a limited-access freeway which runs along the northern and western edges of incorporated Eugene. First NCAA basketball champions when the Ducks defeated Ohio State in 1939 Home to Oregon's second largest lake (behind Crater Lake) and one of the purest lakes in the world Events in Eugene, Oregon Arts and Culture in Eugene Fall Fun in Eugene Fun Facts About Eugene The top 20 players from the Nationwide Tour are promoted to the PGA Tour for the following year. An apt setting, the museum is situated on the same property as the Eugene Airport. Just a quick 2-hour drive from Eugene, Oregon will bring you to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Oregon Coast - in Coos Bay, Oregon! Eugene , state Oregon ( By Press Release office) 2023-01-22T13:00:00 GMT | 2 | 0 Eugene Oregon : Fun with Coloring ( Eugene ) - Ages 5 - 9 with your grownups: drop in to get creative with coloring . Some Eugene anarchists gained international notoriety in 1999 for their perceived role in the violent protests at the WTO Conference in Seattle. Females represented 51.1% of the total population, and males represented 48.9%. The front picture includes a heart-shaped shield with an eagle on top, surrounded by thirty-three stars. The record high low was 73F (23C) in 2006. Here are some fast facts about Eugene, Oregon. 3. Oregon Facts - History. 2012 - 354,200 They stored these foods in their permanent winter village. Eugene, Oregon is as large as it has ever been. 18. Eugene's official slogan is "A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors". It was relocated in 1853 and named Eugene City, but was not formally incorporated as a city until 1862. Eugene will host the Track and Field World Championships in 2022. These are just a few of the fun facts about the cute little city of Eugene, OR. Fact 8. It is the county seat of Lane County, and is home to a population of over 160,000 people. 11. Eugene is also home to a large Zimbabwean music community. Take a look below for 25 fascinating and awesome facts about Eugene, Oregon, United States. Dick Hyman, noted jazz pianist and musical director for many of Woody Allen's films, designs and hosts the annual Now Hear This! Open to the Public. Fun Facts About Eugene. Organized Tours. Here are a few weird facts about Eugene Oregon that might make you think twice before visiting: Weird Facts About Eugene Oregon 1. Eugene is home to "Classical Gas" Composer and two-time Grammy award winner Mason Williams who spent his years as a youth living between his parents in Oakridge, Oregon and Oklahoma. It is at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles (80km) east of the Oregon Coast. 24. 30 Awesome And Interesting Facts About Emma Roberts, 15 Interesting And Fun Facts About Phoenix, Oregon, United States, 20 Incredible And Awesome Facts About Brisbane, California, United States, 15 Interesting And Fun Facts About Napa, California, United States, 20 Interesting And Amazing Facts About National City, California, United States, 15 Interesting And Fascinating Facts About Needles, California, United States, 15 Interesting And Amazing Facts About Nevada City, California, United States, 15 Amazing And Interesting Facts About Newark, California, United States. A part of Eugene LGBT culture since 1993, it provides a lighthearted and supportive social venue for the LGBT community, families, and friends. Eugene, OR 97401