Located on the south edge of downtown, College Hill was the location of Lane County’s first college, Columbia College (not the University of Oregon), founded in 1856. The college burned twice, and eventually closed. A large percentage of the homes are historic, some on the history registry. This is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Eugene with home buyers.
For map lovers, I am defining the College Hill neighborhood as bordered by 18th Street on the north, 28th Street on the south, Willamette Street on the east and Lincoln Street on the west.
COLLEGE HILL RESERVOIR:
 
This 15-million-gallon reservoir at 24th and Lawrence was completed in 1939. It’s open to the public and is a popular star gazing spot. The Eugene Astronomical Society often holds events there. They held a star party there last month during the total lunar eclipse (February 20, 2008).
COLLEGE HILL PARKS:
WASHINGTON PARK & RECREATION CENTER, 19th to 21st Ave. along Washington
Washington Park features include balance beam, baseball/softball, full court basketball, climbers, community center, fixed benches, picnic tables, play structure, seasonal restroom, slides, swings, tennis, tire swing, wading pool .
EUGENE EMERALDS BASEBALL CLUB, 2077 Willamette St.
Eugene Civic Stadium ballpark is home of Eugene’s own Class A baseball team, the Eugene Emeralds. The stadium was built in 1938 as a WPA project and is a much beloved historic wooden stadium.
PARKS ON THE EDGE OF COLLEGE HILL:
AMAZON PARK, 2580 Hilyard St., 22nd to 34th, Amazon Pkwy. to Hilyard St.
Amazon Park encompasses approximately 90 acres. Many wonderful activities take place here, such as summer concerts and Shakespeare in the park and kite flying. The park has a lighted soft-surface running trail, an off-leash dog park, a skatepark bowl, basketball, children’s play area, picnic facilities, Amazon Community Center, Hilyard Community Center, sand volleyball, lighted softball fields, a soccer field and a swimming pool with several diving boards, a water slide and lap pools and a concession stand.
Amazon park also includes AMAZON COMMUNITY GARDENS at 28th & High. In recent years, volunteer gardeners at the Community Gardens have produced over a ton of fresh vegetables for FOOD for Lane County.
Walking and biking paths in Amazon Park include Adidas Amazon Trail. The smooth, bark chip trail is one mile around with a 1500 meter cut-off and 1km inner loop. The mile loop is marked every quarter and the kilometer loop is marked every 100 meters. A trail segment is lighted. Just south of Amazon Trail is Rexius Trail, a 3.5 mile bark chip loop along Amazon Creek.
MORSE RANCH PARK, 595 Crest Dr
This was the home of Senator Wayne L. Morse, Oregon’s independent United States Senator (1944-1968). It is a 27 acre park of open space and woods, 1936 National Historic Register home, picnic shelter with limited kitchen facilities, and off lease dog park. Also located on the Morse Ranch Park is Willamette Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, an independent organization that rehabilitates injured wild birds and small animals.
WILLAMETTE STREET BUSINESSES
Eugene’s founder and city planner, Eugene Skinner, ran the main street, Willamette Street, between the city’s two buttes, Skinner Butte (now in the center of town) and Spencer Butte on the south end. Willamette Street, the east border of College Hill is mostly commercial with about 150 businesses and about 40 professional offices. Some of the Willamette Street businesses between 15th and 29th Streets are:
Note - this is not a complete list.
RESTAURANTS, CLUBS & BARS:
Cravings Cafe, 1530 Willamette St.
Bel Ami Restaurant, 1591 Willamette St. in the Mid Town Market
Mac’s Restaurant and night club in The Veterans Memorial Bldg, 1626 Willamette St.
Cafe Yumm, 1801 Willamette St. in Meridian Building
The Glenwood 2588 Willamette St.
Three Forks Wok & Grill, 2560 Willamette St.
Shoji’s Japanese Restaurant, 2645 Willamette St.
Turtles Bar and Grill 2690 Willamette St.
Three Square Bar & Cafe in the Southtowne Shoppes
Tasty Thai Kitchen, 80 E. 29th
Chapalas Mexican Restaurant, 68 W. 29th
SHOPPING CENTERS:
Meridian Building 1801 Willamette, housing Folkways, Uncommon Scents, Cafe Yumm, Sattva Gallery and more.
Southtowne Shoppes, 28th and Oak St.
Woodfield Station 2860 Willamette St.
FOOD STORES:
Capella Market-natural foods, 25th & Willamette St.
Great Harvest Bread Company, 2564 Willamette St.
Pomegranates Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Grocery, 2833 Willamette St.
Market of Choice Grocery in Woodfield Station 2860 Willamette
Long’s Meat Market, 81 E. 28th Ave in the Southtowne Shoppes
Sunrise Asian Market, 70 West 29th
ATHLETIC CLUBS:
Pilates Center, 1680 Willamette St.
In Shape, 2681 Willamette St.
Bounce Gymnastics (for kids), 2705 Willamette St.
The club I belong to: The Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St.
BANKS:
Washington Mutual 2840 Willamette St.
U.S. Bank 55 W 29th
Oregon Community Credit Union 2890 Willamette
OTHER BUSINESSES:
Down to Earth Garden & Housewares Store, 2498 Willamette St.
Southtown Lanes Bowling, 2486 Willamette St.
Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St.
Eugene True Value Hardware, 2825 Willamette St.
Hollywood Video, 2866 Willamette St. in Woodfield Station
Pookie’s Bed and Breakfast on College Hill, 2013 Charnelton St.
Filed under: College Hill Neighborhood, Neighborhoods on March 4th, 2008 | No Comments »
“
“
