Historic Landscapes Surveys

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https://hdl.handle.net/1794/28776

Within the established period of significance (1876-1974), twenty-one landscape areas were surveyed and recorded for the Campus Heritage Landscape Plan. All surveyed landscape areas are identified as designated open spaces in the Campus Plan. A landscape survey form developed specifically for this study was designed to evaluate the character-defining features, level of integrity, associated era or eras, and condition.

All of these historic resources received rankings based on their historic significance and integrity, creating a hierarchy that allows for protection of the most important resources while allowing for needed new development.

For more information, visit the Historic Landscapes Surveys webpage.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 21

Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Southwest Campus Axis (ff)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Very few historic features are present within the Southwest Campus Axis. Part of the site was the location of the Veterans Dorms that have since been removed. Remnants of their foundations are purportedly visible, although not easily discernible. The west turn around and landscape leading to the entrances of Beall Hall and the Music Building has been reconfigured so many times that its current appearance cannot be deemed historic. The only landscape features that date back to the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era are the row of Crimson King Norway maples that line the east edge of the Axis near the Education Annex and Beall Concert Hall.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Dads’ Gates Axis (d)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Dads’ Gates Axis was to be one of Ellis F. Lawrence’s formal entries to the campus, connecting 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue, and the Memorial Quadrangle beyond. Two of Lawrence’s earliest buildings for the University—Peterson (1916) and Gilbert (1921) Halls—were carefully sited to help terminate the Axis and frame the view south to Memorial Quad. At the time of Lawrence’s death in 1946, though, very little of this scheme was realized. He did succeed in locating the gates with the help of the UO Dads’ Club, the Works Progress Administration and master blacksmith O.B. Dawson. Fred Cuthbert contributed to the design of the Axis, and some features were realized, including the “cloverleaf” entry drive built in conjunction with the Robinson Theater in 1949. By the end of the Mid-Century Era, the southern end of the Axis became partially blocked with the construction of Commonwealth Hall (1952). Since then, little has been done to reinforce the nature of the Axis. The Lillis Business Complex (2003) replaced Commonwealth Hall, and acknowledges the original nature of the Axis through its glazed atrium.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Knight Library Axis (v)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Conceived by Ellis Lawrence in his 1932 campus plan, the Knight Library Axis is an east-west circulation corridor between Kincaid and University Streets. A number of trees within the Axis are both historic and exceptional, the most notable being the Purple-Leaf European beech planted in 1900 near Susan Campbell Hall. Other notable historic features include the Knight Library’s terrace and the brick and cast stone terrace wall between Hendricks and Susan Campbell Hall.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Promenade (o)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
According to Ellis Lawrence’s 1936 plan of campus, the Promenade was intended to be a quadrangle between dormitories. Today it functions as an Axis in an area dominated by student residence halls. The most historic features along the Axis date back to the Lawrence Era, and include Straub Hall, a lone Ponderosa pine near Carson Hall, and a Big-leaf maple on the corner of Onyx and 14th. The trees are probably remnants of the residential neighborhood that stood here during the Inception and Lawrence/Cuthbert Eras. The curved concrete path and the small basketball courts in front of the Walton complex date back to the Mid-Century Era. Originally a section of 14th Avenue, the Promenade is now a pedestrian corridor that connects the EMU to Agate Street.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Pioneer Axis (q)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Pioneer Axis is a rectangular area within a space that has historically been called the Women’s Quad. The landscape area contains the Pioneer Mother statue by Alexander Phimster Proctor, the same sculptor who created the Pioneer statue located in the Old Campus Quad. Six cast stone benches and a brick and cast stone terrace wall date back to the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era. The vegetation of the area has matured since the end of the Mid-Century Era and contains many large oaks that are remnants of Fred Cuthbert’s original planting plan. Although Ellis Lawrence’s building plan for the Quad was never fully realized, the Pioneer Axis today retains much of the symmetry and open views as originally intended, and serves as an important campus open space. The grouping of Susan Campbell, Hendricks and Gerlinger Halls is one of the best examples of the Lawrence legacy on campus. Additional trees planted after the period of significance appear to be arranged in a manner that is inconsistent with Cuthbert’s planting plan. A designed view has been maintained within the Pioneer Axis, starting at the Pioneer Mother and extending through the glazed doors of Johnson Hall across to the Pioneer statue.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Deady Hall Walk Axis (e)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Deady Hall Walk Axis begins at what was the first formal entrance onto campus at Kincaid Street. The Axis was a pedestrian extension of 12th Avenue that connected the Eugene community to the first University of Oregon building, Deady Hall. Around 1896 an allée of Douglas fir trees was planted on either side of the concrete walk, and some of those trees are present today. Historic concrete sections of the walk with inscriptions from past University Days have been incorporated into a new walk poured in 2005. Since the closure of 12th Avenue immediately to the west, this entry is no longer considered to be a primary campus entrance point. It is still a significant entry with a direct connection to a National Historic Landmark (Deady Hall). The western portion of the walk has seen the greatest amount of change, with half of the allée and the forked entry walks replaced by a concrete courtyard between the Computing Center and McKenzie Hall
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Emerald Axis (s)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Emerald Axis, which was Emerald Street right up to the end of the Mid-Century Era, was converted to a pedestrian corridor around 1972. Some of the trees along the Axis date back to the construction of Earl Hall, but changes to the Hall along the Axis and the construction of the Living Learning Center has dramatically altered the space. One of the most interesting trees in the Axis is the Deodar cedar (the Sarah Findly memorial tree) across from Carson Hall, and is a remnant of the residential neighborhood that once existed here. The casual, rolling nature of the EMU east lawn adjacent to the Axis is a hallmark of the late Mid-Century Era of design.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Amphitheater Green (l)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Amphitheater Green has been completely redesigned since the end of the Mid-Century Era. Concrete seat walls and a new planting plan have replaced the level open lawn that used to define the site. During the 1970s the Green was excavated and a breezeway was placed beneath the EMU. A wide concrete ramp provided access from University Street to the breezeway. Grass slopes topped with a row of trees were on either side of the ramp. No other significant changes to the Green were made until 1998 when the site was transformed into its current state. A few small scale features have remained in the Green since the Mid-Century Era, such as The Class of 1963 Podium and the 1912 University Seal, both of which have recently been moved from their original locations. A flagpole was placed in the Green during the 1950s and remains in its original location. Despite the physical alterations to the Green, the space has retained its historic land use as an important open space and public forum on campus.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Onyx Axis (r)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Onyx Axis is a remnant of Onyx Street, which was a residential road up to the end of the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era. Straub Hall is the most distinctive feature on the Axis, but the Douglas firs on the corner of 15th Avenue predate the building. Onyx Street and its association with the EMU was altered in 1972 when the EMU expanded eastward and blocked the road.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Straub Hall Green (y)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Straub Hall Green was constructed in 1951 in conjuction with the building of the EMU. Fred Cuthbert was the university landscape architect at the time, however, it is unkown whether or not he designed this space. The paths within the Green have not been altered since its initial design, and many of the trees are remnants of the Stafford residence that formally occupied the space. The oldest tree in the Green appears to be a large Douglas fir near the corner of 15th Avenue, and dates back to the early Inception Era. The 1910 Senior Bench was relocated to the Green shortly after its completion. The bench used to be located in the Old Campus Quad near Fenton Hall and is the only one of its kind on campus.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Old Campus Quadrangle (f)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Old Campus Quadrangle is a good example of the Picturesque Era of campus planning, and is home to a collection of the oldest buildings on campus. The Quad began to take its shape during the Inception Era when buildings like Deady, Villard, Fenton, Friendly, McClure (no longer extant) and Mechanical Halls (now part of Lawrence) began to form an edge around a large, central open space. The circulation routes and plantings of the Quadrangle have always had an informal and asymmetrical character. Trees, the majority of which were coniferous, and lawns replaced the open field that predated the Quad, with extensive tree planting initiated in 1884 and continued in 1900. Many class trees and memorials from the university’s early history are associated with the Quad, providing this landscape area with the forest-like appearance seen today and a high level of historic integrity.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Gerlinger Field Green (x)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The most significant features of the Gerlinger Field Green are related to its land use and its connection to Gerlinger Hall. Since its construction between 1919 and 1921, it has been used as a field for athletics and physical education - initially by the women of the campus, but today by all university students. Gerlinger Hall was designed to overlook the playing field and this connection remains unobstructed. The curving row of False cypress appears to have been planted circa 1950.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : 15th Avenue Axis (z)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Planning Office, University of Oregon; Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel
Most of the historic features associated with the 15th Avenue Axis are street trees. The row of Douglas firs between Straub Hall and University Street, and the row of Norway maples in front of the Student Recreation Center’s (SRC) outdoor playing field are all from the eras of significance. The Douglas firs appear to date back to the Inception Era, and the large retaining wall of the SRC field and the Crimson King Norway maples are from the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era. The street has been associated with Hayward Field since the 1920s, though the north end of that facility was completely redesigned fairly recently.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Kincaid Green (cc)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Kincaid Green has acted as the front yard of the Education Building since the building’s construction in 1921. The paths through this area were originally boardwalks, and it is unknown if the concrete paths seen today followed the original layout. The Green’s horseshoe-shaped paths, however, remain in the same location since the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era. The west arm of this path was widened circa 1980. The other historic features in the Green are the five impressive Douglas firs that stand in a line at the end of Kincaid Street. These firs are a remnant of a row of trees that followed a property line along the Pioneer Cemetery’s northern edge from University to Alder Streets.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Johnson Lane Axis (n)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Johnson Lane Axis was part of Ellis F. Lawrence’s plan for the campus as early as 1914. Intended to be a major east-west circulation route for students, the Axis was completed in the early fifties in conjunction with the Erb Memorial Union. The parallel pathway configuration across the Memorial Quad appeared in the early forties as part of a development plan by Fred Cuthbert. At the end of the Mid-Century Era the Axis traversed View east towards the Erb Memorial Union, a principal destination from the Axis.an open landscape dominated by sweeping lawns. Since then, many more trees have been located along the Axis, particularly its eastern portion. The configuration of the Axis has remained virtually unchanged since the end of the Mid-Century Era. Today, with 13th Avenue acting as the predominant east-west pedestrian circulation route on campus, Johnson Lane Axis is a relatively quiet walking area, especially in the section between the Memorial Quad and the EMU.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Gerlinger Entrance Green (w)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Since the construction of Gerlinger Hall in 1921, the Gerlinger Entrance Green has acted as its formal entry space. The horseshoe-shaped entry drive, the mowed lawn in between and the Red maples planted along University Street are the most significant historic features within the Green. The chain and bollards along with the plantings on the lawn are not historic. The Irish yew trees on either side of Gerlinger’s entrance are historic, appearing in photos as early as 1925.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : 13th Avenue Axis (k)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Street trees are the primary historic feature associated with the 13th Avenue Axis from its days as a busy city arterial. In 1971 the university and the city formed an agreement to close a majority of the Axis to vehicular access following a student protest. A gradual transformation of the Avenue is occurring. Many of the street features associated with the Axis, like the curbs, parking strips, Oregon Hall University Health and Counseling Lillis Business Complexsidewalks and roadbed are being altered as the Avenue continues to evolve into more of a bicycle/pedestrian mall. Remnants of the street car tracks that once operated in Eugene are still visible in the roadbed, although large sections of the track were removed during the construction of the “Heart of Campus Project” and the Lillis Business Complex.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Villard Hall Green (c)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
Villard Hall Green was at one time a well traveled entrance to the campus, and important enough to warrant placing the 1912 University Seal and a flagpole in front of Villard Hall’s north entry. Villard Hall Green maintained its character throughout the Inception and Lawrence/Cuthbert Eras with minor changes. As early as 1921 a rose bed was added to the lawn and remains in the same location today. When the Southern Pacific Railroad relocated its tracks across the Millrace at the end of the Lawrence/Cuthbert Era (1943), the vacated space along 11th Avenue and Franklin Boulevard was used to construct a retaining wall at the northern slope of the Green. By the Mid-Century Era the university had grown extensively to the south of 13th Avenue, and the Green received much less pedestrian use. In 1949 the Robinson Theatre was added to the west of Villard Hall, blocking the well-established circulation routes to the Green. Circa 1950 the 1912 University Seal was moved to the Erb Memorial Union. Despite these changes, Villard Hall Green, with its original path configuration, historic trees and remaining small scale features, retains strong associations with the Inception Era.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : University Street Axis (aa)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The University Street Axis has many street trees that date back to the period of significance. Of these trees the most distinct are the Pin oaks south of 13th Avenue, the Red maples near the Women’s Memorial Quadrangle Ensemble and the English oaks near Esslinger Hall. The Howe Field Gates were wrought by O.B. Dawson, a master blacksmith responsible for much of the iron work at Timberline Lodge and the University of Oregon. The gates are part of the Soldier’s Memorial of 1937 and extend to 18th Avenue. The Street has been the primary southern entrance to the university since the end of the Inception Era, and its association with the Pioneer Cemetery and McArthur Court are notable. The Street still retains its alignment and connection to the South University neighborhood.
Open Access
Landscape Resource Survey : Memorial Quadrangle (m)
(University of Oregon, 2007) Welch, Dustin; Schaible, Daniel; Planning Office, University of Oregon
The Memorial Quadrangle was part of Ellis Lawrence’s plan for campus as early as 1914. Intended to be a key element of his grand entrance to campus, Lawrence envisioned a great axial view that initiated at the Dads’ Gates at 11th Avenue and eventually terminated at the head of the Memorial Quadrangle. The quadrangle was to be the university’s more formally-designed campus open space, and Lawrence initially proposed to build a great civic auditorium as its focal point, later to be replaced by the Library. The Quad gets its name from three distinct memorials. The first is a plaque dedicated in 1921 to the athletes who represented the University of Oregon on Kincaid Field. The second consists of the distinctive walks of the Quadrangle that honor the students who fought in the Spanish-American and First World Wars. The third consists of eight Pyramidal English oaks planted in 1940 to honor the senior class president of 1939, Robert Chase Bailey, who drowned in the Mill Race during his senior year. A brass plaque is located on the Library’s terrace fountain as part of this memorial.

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