Hitching Post Square now commonly known as the Park Blocks This open park space is part of the original forty-acre donations made by Eugene Skinner and Charnel Mulligan in 1851. This space has remained open for the last 163 years! Originally known as “Hitching Post Square” these four blocks have had different uses and structures during its time. The first Lane County Courthouse was constructed at the center of the four blocks in the middle of what is now 8th Avenue. The courthouse was later moved to the northeast block, part of Eugene Skinner’s donation. The northwest block held the city hall, jail, and the Producer’s Public Market. The southwest block has largely remained open space. The block at 801 Oak has had a wooden gazebo and rest shelter prior to 1912 and public restrooms in a Mediterranean-style building prior to 1948. All early buildings were removed by 1959. This block is the most likely site of the first town well and pump. Although all the original structures have been removed, the two remaining open blocks still have large trees which existed during the early part of our town’s history. These trees offer a link to our past and deserve recognition as significant contributors to our downtown historic landscape.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 17:23:01 +0000
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