Eugene Hotel Celebrates 100 Years

Eugene’s Grand Old Dame — The Eugene Hotel — will host a community birthday bash Saturday, June 14, 10-3, in the luminous property registered as a National Historic Place. Activities will include a vintage car show, musical performances, a resident art exhibit, costume displays, and more.

Like many Eugene amenities, the Hotel has its roots in University of Oregon sports. Opened in 1925, the hotel was one of many amenities designed to accommodate well-heeled out-of-town visitors coming to Eugene for sporting events and activities.

In 1916, avid sports fan and business leader, Bird Rose, convinced 10 local businessmen to invest $10,000 each (nearly $300,000 each today) to buy land and develop architectural plans for a first-class hotel. Nine years later, funded by local investors, the grand opening was held on June 15, 1925. With much fanfare, it was attended by many prominent business leaders, politicians and other dignitaries from across the state.

During its first 60 years, The Eugene Hotel was a premier venue for local events, known as an elegant stopover for those traveling north and south on the then-new Pacific Hwy 99. During this time, the Hotel catered to locals and visitors, hosting many luminaries, including Kirk Douglas, Rose Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Rockefeller, Jack Nicholson, presidents Nixon and Reagan, and John Belushi. The Hotel was the last place Bobby Kennedy stayed before heading to Los Angeles, where sadly, he lost his life.

In 1983, the Hotel was converted to apartments for independent and active adults 58 and older. The transformation honored the Hotel’s historic ambiance and architectural features. The developers’ goal was “to recreate the warmth and elegance of the period in which the Hotel enjoyed its greatest success.”

Today The Eugene Hotel continues her proud legacy as the heart of our downtown. For event times, call 541.343.8574.