THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Gymnasium

UO's Architectural Timelines 19th Century

Unless otherwise noted, the date indicates when the building opened. Follow the link to learn more about the history of a building or architect.

See a contemporary map of the 1894 campus.

1846-1872

• 1846-Eugene Skinner settled at site now called Skinner's Butte.
• 1851-the Millrace was developed to serve as a generator of electricity for Hilyard Shaw's sawmill and later other local industries.
• 1859-Oregon becomes a state.
• 1862-The city of Eugene is incorporated.
• 1868-- Oregon Agricultural College, formerly Corvallis College, is established as the land-grant university.

1872

• Several Eugene citizens form the Union University Association to convince the legislature to select Eugene as the site of a proposed university. An enabling legislative act allowed Eugene to proceed-- with the guarantee that its citizens provide land and a $50,000 building.

1873

• Pioneer Cemetery
• Construction begins on UO's first building (to be named Deady Hall).

1876

• The State University Building (Deady Hall) opened. Architect: William W. Piper.

1881

• Increasing debts gave rise to the idea of selling the university. Henry Villard, financial and railroad entrepreneur, donated substantial funding --enough to pay off debts and to establish an endowment. 1886

1885

• The Normal Gate, an ornamental arbor crafted from wrought iron, was given to UO in 1885 in commemoration of the Normal School that ended that year.

1886

• Collier House, owned by Physics professor George Collier, was completed in May 1886.
  
• Villard Hall. Architect: Warren H. Williams.

1889

• Astronomical Observatory. Architect: Warren H. Williams.

1890

• Gymnasium. Architect: W. L. Campbell.

1893

• The "Old Building" was named Deady Hall.
• Dormitory (named Friendly Hall in 1915). Architect: Whidden and Lewis.

1896

• Collier House was purchased by UO.