Historic Buildings Surveys

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/1794/28779

Within the established period of significance (1876-1974), forty-nine buildings were also surveyed and recorded for the Campus Heritage Landscape Plan. The survey forms used for the forty-nine buildings are similar to the forms in common use by the City of Eugene.

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 Buildings Surveys webpage.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 56

Open Access
Tree Tops Historic Context
(University of Oregon, 2016) Campus Planning, University of Oregon
Tree Tops--also known historically as the Hampton House, Campbell Church House, and most recently the Chancellor’s House--was built from 1908-1910 for prominent local businessman Alton Hampton. One of the first grand houses to be built in the southern, hillier area of Fairmount (known as Fairmount Heights), Tree Tops was part of a building and population boom in Eugene. According to the Fairmount History Project, a record-high 266 homes, 56 in Fairmount alone, were built in 1909. Tree Tops is one of several important early estates on the electric streetcar Fairmount Loop. Other important, adjacent estates include the Washburne Estate (c. 1920), the Fellman-Jewett Residence (1921), and the McMorran House (1925), which continues to house the acting University of Oregon president. Like Alton Hampton, George McMorran and his partner Carl Washburne were successful Eugene businessmen. Wilson H. Jewett was a Eugene lumberman and the brother of Mrs. Washburne. These estates, built into the same steeply sloping hillside, all have panoramic views of the University and the city below.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Howe Field/Howe Gates and Associated Wall and Fence
(University of Oregon, 2014) Thompson, Christine; Phillips, Ann
Howe Field was constructed in 1935. It is named in honor of Herbert Crombie Howe, a professor in the English department at the University of Oregon from 1902-1940. Dr. Howe, a long-standing supporter of athletes’ rights, was a faculty representative to the Pacific Coast Conference from 1915-1959 (now PAC-12 although the correlation between the two conferences is questioned) and a member of the athletic board. In 1938, the wrought iron entrance gates, concrete wall and ticket booth, and wrought iron fence were added to the perimeter of the field from McArthur Court south to 18th Avenue. The project was largely funded by the WPA. Additional funding was provided by donations from the classes of 1918, 1919, 1930, and 1936 along with the Soldiers’ Memorial fund and the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO). The University of Oregon baseball team played at Howe Field until 1981 when the program was cut due to budgetary restrictions. The University of Oregon softball team began playing on the field in 1987 and continues to play there today. The first baseball club at the University of Oregon was organized in 1877. A general lack of interest in the sport prevented a University sponsored program until the autumn of 1905 when the sport of baseball was adopted as a regular college activity. Over the years, baseball games have been played in numerous locations including the northeast corner of 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street, in the area directly south of Hayward Field, and finally at Howe Field, then called “Anonymous Field” beginning in 1935. “Anonymous Field” was named Howe Field in the spring of 1936.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Straub Memorial Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Burk, Melissa; Stoller, Kathryn
Ellis Lawrence designed the Men’s Dormitory in the Colonial Revival style, the style reserved for his secondary campus buildings (ie, those not on the Memorial Quadrangle) such as Education West and East. This is also seen in his design work in the East (possibly Whitman College). This building was one of seventeen of Lawrence’s works to be selected to be shown in an Oregon AIA exhibit in 1929. Originally, the dormitory was built to be self-sustaining per Oregon’s Enabling Act (1859), which was enacted to finance new university buildings. Total cost was $375,000 including construction, lands and furnishings. To make the new dormitory comply with the self-sustaining rule, room rents were raised higher than they had been at its predecessor, Friendly Hall; rooms in Straub were $36 per term plus $1.00 per day for board. The new Men’s Dormitory was completed in seven short months in 1928, with six residential units, a central kitchen and dining room, six additional dining rooms which could be opened to create a large hall, an ice plant, sewing room, linen room, laundry, an electric engine room and storage rooms in the basement. During WWII women students were moved into half of Straub Hall. In 1946, temporary housing arrived to handle the 47% increase in students returning from the war. The women were later moved into their own new dormitory, Carson Hall, in January of 1949.
Open Access
Cover Sheet for Grouped Resources : Agate Group
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Welch, Dustin; Blaser, Andrea
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Allen Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Welch, Dustin; Blaser, Andrea
Allen Hall was constructed in 1953 by Church, Newberry and Roehr Architects. The contractor was J. G. Watts Construction Company. The building is of the Modern Style with a rectangular plan, three stories and a concrete foundation. While the walls are made of concrete, they have a brick and limestone veneer, with limestone being the primary surface material on the West façade. Vinyl is used on the flat roof, and the primary windows are steel sash. Decorative features include nine raised limestone plaques that represent old printers marks. The landscape includes a sunken patio on the Old Campus Quad that is situated to the West. The old Journalism Building is attached to the East. Allen Hall originally was designed to accommodate every aspect of the mass communications field and the entire first floor housed the University Press, with its letterpress, offset and bindery equipment.1 The University of Oregon’s journalism program was the first comprehensive curriculum of its kind in the field, and the Department of Journalism that was established in 1912 was one of the first in the country. In addition, the seminar room was designed to be a replica of Dean Eric Allen’s living room. Dean Allen, who joined the Journalism faculty in 1916 and served as its head for 28 years, died in 1944, (Sandahl). During Allen Hall’s construction, the Journalism Building was completely remodeled as the East wing of Allen Hall.2 In 1999, Boucher, Mouchka, and Larson designed the South Lobby that connects Allen Hall with the Journalism Building and created a new main entrance where the loading dock once was. Cameron, McCarthy, Gilbert and Scheibe designed the 1999 Ted M. Natt first Amendment Entry Plaza.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Hendricks Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
Built in 1918, Hendricks Hall was named after T.G. Hendricks, a local grocer who donated money for the construction of Deady Hall. Hendricks was built out of brick with a common bond and is notable for its wooden shingled gambrel roofs with parapets and dormers. The windows are of wooden frame and are multi-pane double hung. Hendricks is a well-decorated building on campus. It has wooden cornices, porch, and pediments. The irregular “L” shape of the building is due to it originally being a women’s dormitory. The building was sectioned off into three sections of three levels. It can be best described as three “houses” in one structure. Sixteen women lived on each floor. The residing women would share bath facilities and living spaces. Each “house” had a separate entrance to the building, thus explaining the multiple entry points seen on Hendricks Hall. The original main entrance is the west door facing the Women’s Memorial Quad, not the east door facing University Street which is most commonly used today. This was the housing prototype developed by Lawrence and was copied at Whitman College but that was the last that it was seen. Ellis Lawrence designed the Women’s Memorial Quad with the intent of using Gerlinger, Hendricks, and Susan Campbell Halls as verticies. Additional buildings were intended but never realized.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Heustis Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Pochert, Erin; Flathman, Jennifer
The construction of Science III in 1973 demonstrates the continued importance of science on the University of Oregon campus. Growth and increased specialization within the science disciplines meant that the departments were rapidly outgrowing the laboratory and classroom spaces in Science I and II. The firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill(SOM) continued the work begun with Science II to create a community of scientists equipped with the latest in technology. The SOM design for Science III sought to maximize the ability of the science departments to grow and utilize modern equipment. As with Science II, the structural frame is located at the perimeter of the building to maximize interior laboratory spaces. To allow for future growth, the reinforced concrete frame has capacity for vertical expansion of two levels. In Science III, brick provides greater harmony with campus buildings than in the earlier science buildings. The brick is clearly veneer and expressed concrete frame is in keeping with the Brutalist design principles. In 1986, the University renamed Science III in honor of Ralph Huestis’ contributions as professor of biology from 1924 to 1962. In 1989, Huestis Hall was connected to the new science complex by way of doors to Streisinger Hall. The science departments have used Huestis continuously since its construction. Currently Huestis Hall houses the Institute of Neuroscience.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Cascade Annex West Wing
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Mertz, Kathleen; Mendoca, Elise
This building was designed by Ellis Lawrence in 1925 to house the press operations on campus. It is a simple rectangular poured concrete building with a rough stucco finish and multi-pane metal windows. Per the original drawings, it was intended to have a sawtooth roof with north facing windows but due to cost, it was redesigned as flat with skylights. A small addition in 1926 was the workroom for San Francisco printer John Henry Nash, although the architectural details of this lack documentary evidence. Special equipment was moved into the building for the printing of one book a year under the supervision of Mr. Nash. One of the first books printed was the biography of recently deceased University President Prince Lucien Campbell. The Daily Emerald was printed there as well. The original interior configuration consisted of two large rooms (press room and bindery) with a couple of offices along the west wall. The interior was modified multiple times to accommodate changing uses over the life of the building so that by 1987, the floor plans show all smaller offices and laboratories rather than a large interior space. In 1946 there was a fire and the roof was reconstructed. In this same year, Cascade Annex East was constructed adjacent to it on the east. At the time of construction, its dimensions and massing mirrored Cascade Annex West, although a few feet longer extending to the south. Drawings from 1952 show this length differentiation but later drawings show them the same length. Documentation of the exact date of this change is inconclusive. In 1950, a window of the west facade was converted to an entry door. In 1961, the Onyx Bridge was constructed on top of the building. In 1963, a freezer room and air-conditioned animal room was constructed within the south end of the building to accommodate the science laboratories. The southern 60% of the building was demolished in 1987 to clear the site for Cascade Hall. In 2001, there was extensive remodeling to house the science stores, which included interior demolition of the north offices, infill of the west door and conversion of the central north window into a door with a decorative I-beam awning. Currently, the building sits dwarfed under the Onyx Bridge, connected to Cascade Annex East at the southeastern corner and surrounded by an asphalt parking lot, loading ramp and alley on the north, east and west facades, respectively. This building lacks integrity for listing on the National Register because Onyx Bridge was built on top of the annex, 60% was razed, and interior modifications over time have greatly diminished the existing historic fabric. It has been ranked as a non-contributing resource for its very low significance to the campus and poor integrity.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Onyx Bridge
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Stoller, Melissa; Burk, Kathryn
In 1960 construction was underway on the new East Wing to the Science Building. The building was constructed to house laboratories and offices. Later named Onyx Bridge, so named because it was designed to straddle Onyx Street (although the street was closed during construction and never reopened), the unique building was a result of a new type of architectural design - an external structural support system. The entire building is supported by steel girders, covering the outside, and towers at each end of the “bridge.” By using this method, no further support was required within the structure. The idea behind this design was so that the internal structure could be changed at any time without concerns of load support or stress on the structure. Therefore, with no permanent interior floor plan, the windows were placed without regard to what they would look like on the exterior. The criss-crossed exterior girders are supposed to be the only noticeable feature of the completed building. Faculty later complained of too few windows and vibration. After the building’s completion and subsequent inspection, the exterior supports were covered in asbestos as a fire safety precaution. By 1984, removal of the asbestos was ordered and an exterior fire sprinkler system was installed. As originally designed, four additional stories were planned for Onyx Bridge for a total of eight stories. This design was never carried forward.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Gerlinger Annex
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Mertz, Kathleen; Mendoca, Elise
Built in 1969 as a new women’s gymnasium, Gerlinger Annex is a utilitarian brick structure built in the International style. It replaced two wood gymnasium facilities on this same site. It is located adjacent to the Gerlinger Field Green (Women’s Physical Education Field), the Pioneer Cemetery and the Knight Library. There is a concrete breezeway that connects it to the historic Gerlinger Hall. There is limited stylist sensitivity as an infill project between two historic buildings, Gerlinger Hall and Knight Library. The courtyard afronting this building consists of concrete in the form of pathways, planter beds and stump seating. There have been no major alterations to this structure. The gymnasium floor was remodeled in 1982 and the structure was reroofed in 1994. This building continues to be used as gymnasium space and offices for the U of O Dance Department. Per the National Register criteria, this building, at this point in time, does not meet any criteria for listing. This building should be further researched and re-evaluated once it reaches 50 years old. It has been ranked as a non-contributing resource due to its very low significance.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Agate House
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Welch, Dustin; Blaser, Andrea
Agate House is a Craftsman bungalow that was acquired by the Eugene School District and moved adjacent to Agate Hall, which was known as Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School until 1950 and then Condon Elementary School until 1983. After the move, the house was used as classrooms. It has a rectangular plan, with 2 stories and a concrete foundation. The primary exterior material is clapboard siding, and the roof is of a gable configuration with composite shingles. The windows are primarily 4/1 double hung sash made of wood, and decorative features include an exposed eave, rafter tails, and verge boards. Not much is known about this resource other than it was moved to be utilized as classrooms and was acquired by the University at the same time they purchased Condon Elementary in 1984. The house is listed as a dwelling with an address of 1803 Agate Street in a 1925 Sanborn Map. While it is an example of a typical Craftsman bungalow, it is not exemplary of the style and is not eligible for the National Register as an individual resource. With its fair integrity and very low significance, it is ranked it as a noncontributing resource.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Chapman Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Lingo, Shawn; Mauro, Jeremy
Chapman Hall, designed by Ellis Lawrence, was constructed in1939. The building is named for Charles H. Chapman, President of the University from 1893-1896. The project was funded by the Public Works Administration, a New Deal era program. It is part of the Lawrence plan for the central campus area anchored by the Memorial Quadrangle. Originally, it was part of a three-wing humanities complex intended to mirror the similar science complex of which Condon Hall was the only section constructed. Like its sister buildings on the Memorial Quad, Chapman Hall is stylistically complex and difficult to classify. The arrangement of the diverse elements that constitute the architectural composition is generally Classical in feeling. The individual elements draw on a wide range of Greek and Roman archetypes and there are even a few Egyptian echoes, such as the corner pilasters that represent bundled reeds. Much of the terra cotta detailing has a definite Art Deco or Moderne machine-inspired feeling. This represents the last use of terra cotta ornamentation on a U of O campus building. Chapman reflects design elements common to the other buildings on the Memorial Quad, such as the frieze with round arch details, to create a unified design language. These stylistic elements are perhaps best understood in Lawrence’s own terms. In his 1914 campus plan, he recommends that “the more monumental buildings… be erected in the Classic style, while the buildings of the minor groups in Renaissance and Colonial styles…” Lawrence himself characterized it as a “composite, not a true historical style.” As a matter of interest, Chapman Hall was designed to mirror Condon Hall architecturally yet Chapman’s structure is concrete walls with brick veneer while Condon is made of brick bearing walls. Chapman Hall displays a high level of craftsmanship in its detailing. One especially noteworthy interior feature is the mural in room 223 by E. R. Scott. It is executed in the New Deal social realist style and depicts a number of American radicals and social thinkers including Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Dewey. It was completed by Scott as part of his thesis work for a Masters degree from the U of O.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Knight Library
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Helwick, Sarah; Steverson, Erica
Ellis Fuller Lawrence’s original plan called for an auditorium to be built in this site, as the termination of the south axis and most important building in his beaux-arts plan. The axis extended from the auditorium to Dad’s Gates and beyond to the train station. However, the decision was made by President Hall to build a library in its place. The library was funded by the Public Works Administration (“PWA”) and the Works Progress Administration (“WPA”) program funds and is representative of the last surge of building before WWII. The library has been referred to as Oregon’s best example of integrated art and architecture. It is the most fully executed of Lawrence’s buildings incorporating sculpture, painting and metalwork, much done by students, graduates and professors. Much of the interior artwork is mostly intact. The building’s name was changed in 1994 to honor Phillip Knight, President and CEO of Nike, Inc and a University of Oregon alum. Knight Library, along with the Memorial Quad, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 9, 1990. The original Lawrence building from 1937 was nominated and listed and the 1950 and 1966 additions were listed as non-contributing. At the time the National Park Service accepted the building, the 1994 addition had yet to be built. The library was listed under criteria A and C: it was listed under A because it was funded by Public Works Administration funds and listed under C as a significant element in Lawrence’s Beaux Arts plan and for the fine craftsmanship displayed on the exterior and interior of the library. The original portion of the building is listed in the nomination as Beaux Arts Eclecticism while the additions are Modernistic. Some elements of the original design reflect a “moderne” character including the decorative motifs, and functional elements such as entrance lanterns.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Journalism Building
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Welch, Dustin; Blaser, Andrea
The Journalism Building is a rectangular structure of the Half Modern style. It has 3 stories, a concrete foundation, and has a brick wall exterior. The roof is flat and is composed of built up roofing. It has multi-pane, double hung windows made of wood and the brick exterior is laid in a diaper pattern.1 Some of its decorative features have been removed including the wooden balcony over the east entrance and the cast stone pinnacles. A bas-relief sculpture over the south entrance was placed on the building in 1936 and created by Louise Utter with Works Progress Administration funds. Utter also contributed to the design and creation of the Knight Library heads during the same time period. The sculpture’s inscription reads: "A free & enlightened press the surest guarantor of liberty.” The 1953 addition (Allen Hall) replaced McClure Hall on the west side of the Journalism Building. At that time the Journalism Building was completely remodeled to become the East wing of Allen Hall. New concrete interior walls were added (the brick wall were no longer bearing) and decorative elements were removed (cast stone pinnacles, wood balcony, flower box). In 1999 the loading dock was converted to a new building entrance (south lobby). The new south lobby, designed by Boucher, Mouchka, and Larson, connects Allen Hall with the Journalism Building. As part of this project, Cameron, McCarthy, Gilbert and Scheibe created the Ted M. Natt 1st Amendment Plaza and redesigned the entrance to the building along the University Street Axis.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Johnson Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Helwick, Sarah; Steverson, Erica
Johnson Hall houses the University's administrative offices, including the Office of the President and the Provost. Influenced by Beaux-arts and classical revival styles, this brick building, accented with terra cotta tiles, has a symmetrical design plan and a rectangular footprint. The north entry sidewalk features a center "O" topiary. From this side, the projecting center bay's two-story portico is supported by six concrete Ionic columns that are covered with terra cotta tiles. The entablature above the portico is decorated with dentil molding and other terra cotta tile decoration, such as the University of Oregon seal in the center. The terra cotta cornice and frieze continue along the entire perimeter of the building. The south entrance of Johnson Hall features a cast iron and glass awning described in Knighton's plans as "Marquise Metal." The east, west and south sides of Johnson Hall's windows are accented with green fabric awnings. These awnings are not original to the building and it is unknown if they were included in the original design intent, but they are evident in early photographs. Completed on November 8, 1915, the Administration Building, as it was originally known, was designed by William C. Knighton, Oregon’s State Architect. Costing over $100,000, it was campus’ most expensive building constructed at the time. In 1918 the Administration Building was renamed Johnson Hall after John Wesley Johnson, the first president of the University of Oregon. Ellis Lawrence is somewhat connected to this building. He advised Knighton on the design and President Campbell referred to him as "advisory architect." He also advised the University on various issues regarding this building including acoustical problems and maintaining the terra cotta "Administration Building" plaque when the building's name was changed. The placement of Johnson Hall between the Lawrence campus building projects (i.e., the Women’s Quad, Museum of Art, and Knight Library), and the Old Campus Quad, which contain the University’s first buildings, is symbolic because it stands as a transition between these two significant periods in University history. Johnson Hall’s presence, building technology, and sheer expense symbolized the University’s transition into a new era of progressive change as exemplified in the University's subsequent growth and ambitious building projects. Its applied terra cotta decoration, architectural form, and construction of reinforced concrete make this building unique to the campus at the time of its construction. Originally, Johnson Hall featured the Guild Theater and an impressive Povey Brothers stained glass skylight that covered the entire center of the second floor. The theatre was converted to office space and the glass skylights were removed when Robinson Theater was completed in 1949. The glass panels were dispersed around campus and can now be found in Johnson Hall Conference Room, Lawrence Hall, and Erb Memorial Union. Johnson Hall was the site of various student-led protests during the Vietnam Era. In fact, UO students took over Johnson Hall in 1970. Subsequently, sixty-one students were arrested. In 1984 the architectural firm of Brockmeyer McDonnell executed an exterior restoration of Johnson Hall. Among the projects included in this restoration were the removal and replacement of the roof, repair of terra cotta tiles, repointing of brickwork, resealing of windows, and patching of plasterwork. In 2004, the Project Management Group and UO Facility Services performed a historical improvements study and had several recommendations.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : McKenzie Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Lingo, Shawn; Mauro, Jeremy
McKenzie Hall was completed in 1970 to house the Law School, which had outgrown it previous home, Fenton Hall. McKenzie has an interesting interplay of Modern architecture elements with strong references to Fenton Hall. This is accomplished through its massing, brick building material, and even the color of the brick veneer. With its exposed concrete construction, it is a Modern interpretation of Fenton, the campus’ first library and an important resource to the University. Designed by architects Wilmsen, Endicott and Unthank, McKenzie Hall is a fine example of the Brutalist style with its overscale geometric massing and use of rough cast concrete for textural effect. Wilmsen, Endicott, Unthank, all graduates of the UO School of Architecture, designed numerous Eugene buildings together and individually. Decorative elements are limited to the strong geometric play of shapes and the contrast between building materials. The extensive modern landscape planning by Lloyd Bard and Associates adds to the building’s potential significance. One of the most important events to have occurred at McKenzie Hall was the address given at its grand opening as the Law Center by United States Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. It is bounded on the south by the terminus of the historic Deady Hall Walk Axis and on the east by the Dads’ Gates Axis.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Robinson Theatre
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Burk, Kathryn; Stoller, Melissa
Designed by Annand & Kennedy Architects & Engineers of Portland, the University Theatre was approved by the Board of Regents in April of 1948. Many students, alumni, professors and staff voiced objections to the plan to attach such a modern structure to the historic Villard Hall, a National Historic Landmark. The then Dean of AAA, Sidney W. Little, believed the theatre addition would be an aesthetically pleasing contrast against Villard. The new theatre held an audience of 400 and opened in November of 1949. It is considered the west end of Villard Hall, not a separate building. The cost of construction was $468,000 including the remodeling of the interior of Villard. Robinson has a one story lobby and reaches four stories at the “fly tower.” Robinson has no decorative features. The Theatre was renamed in 1976 for Horace Robinson, theater faculty member from 1932 to 1976. He is credited with consulting on the design of the theater, especially the interior. Robinson Theatre is on the Dad’s Gate Axis and near the Deady Hall Walk Axis. Many significant trees occupy the grounds, although many more were lost when the theatre was constructed. Grading during construction of the Robinson Theatre stage buried the Normal Gate, a wrought iron arbor installed in 1885 by the Normal School Graduates as a memorial to themselves due to the closure of the two-year teaching certificate program in 1885. It was finally unearthed 55 years later by University of Oregon Historic Preservation Students in 2004-2005, who then had it repaired and reinstalled for Preservation Week 2005. Retired Professor Emeritus Horace Robinson came to campus during May 2005 for the rededication ceremony and gave a speech at the age of 95.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Cascade East Annex Wing
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Mertz, Kathleen; Mendoca, Elise
This building was designed by Ellis Lawrence and was one of the last of his buildings to be built in his lifetime. It cost the University of Oregon approximately $50,000 by the time it was completed in May 1946. It closely resembles the adjacent Cascade Annex West. At the time of construction, its dimensions and massing mirrored Cascade Annex West, although a few feet longer extending to the south. Drawings from 1952 show this length differentiation but later drawings show them the same length. Documentation of the exact date of this change is inconclusive. It is a simple rectangular poured concrete building with a rough stucco finish and multi-pane metal windows. It is devoid of any detailing except two parallel grooves in the concrete that form a cornice line. It is utilitarian in design, built to house the paint, electrical, mechanical and carpentry shops, which, at the time, had been housed in various temporary structures on campus. The original floor plans show the building subdivided into four sections for theses shops with only three interior east-west walls. A variety of interior modifications were made when the Museum of Natural History and the Herbarium, moved into this building in 1955, then called the Anthropology-Museum building. By 1987, the interior space had been heavily subdivided into smaller offices. In 1961, the Onyx Bridge was built on top of it. The Museum of Natural History was housed in the central and southern half of it until 1987, when this portion was razed to clear the site for the construction of Cascade. Currently, this building sits dwarfed by the Onyx Bridge and connected to Cascade Annex West on the southwestern corner. There is an asphalt parking lot along the north side, a loading dock on the west side, minimal landscaping of trees and grass on the east side, a large bicycle cage on the southeastern corner and a concrete sidewalk along the south side. It is sited adjacent to the Science Courtyard on the southeast corner. This building lacks integrity for listing on the National Register because Onyx Bridge was built on top of the annex, 60% was razed, and interior modifications over time have greatly diminished the existing historic fabric. It has been ranked as a non-contributing resource for its very low significance to the campus and poor integrity. NATIONAL
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Esslinger Hall
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Flathman, Jennifer; Pochert, Erin
The Physical Education Building is a good example of the association between campus planner and architect Ellis Lawrence with the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided the funding for the construction of the Physical Education Building and other projects built on the campus during the 1930s. The restrained quality of the building conforms to the PWA guidelines for economy as well as a growing trend in architecture toward simple forms. Esslinger Hall is a low, horizontal, poured concrete structure that is simply but elegantly detailed. The building’s decoration is furnished by the groupings of windows, geometric patterns in the doors and transom panels above the doors, and patterns in the concrete. Detailing of the concrete provides the building’s primary ornament. The detailing emphasizes the horizontality of the site with contrasting vertical elements highlighting the entries. The combinations of octagons and rectangles in the doors along with the horizontal band of rectangular, grouped hinged sash windows are in keeping with the emphasis on simple geometries in the Moderne style. Although the Physical Education Building is the only Lawrence project on the Oregon campus to employ the Moderne style, the massing and refined detailing is characteristic of Lawrence’s work throughout the campus. The original building contained two basketball courts, eight handball/squash courts, locker rooms, and office space. During construction, the building was attached to the existing McArthur Court by a set of doors at the southwest corner. Modifications include the addition of a second story administrative wing in 1954, construction of the swimming pool in 1958, and the remodeling of the second story to repair damage resulting from the 1971 fire. In 1975, the University renamed the building in honor of the contributions of Arthur A. Esslinger during his service as Dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from 1953 until 1971. The continuing growth of athletics and physical education at the University prompted the construction of the Student Recreation and Fitness Center in 1999 (designed by TBG Architects of Eugene and Cannon-Parkin of Los Angeles) which is attached to Esslinger Hall at the northeast corner.
Open Access
Historic Resource Survey Form : Clinical Services Building
(University of Oregon, 2006) Johnson, Susan; Dietzler, Karl
Balzhiser, Seder, and Rhodes had plans drafted up in 1968 for a “Clinical Service Building for Mental Retardation”. Materials for the interior included “poured in place concrete,” solid brick walls, grouted brick walls, and solid brick and concrete walls. Framing called for 2.5-inch metal studs placed two feet on-center, with 1.5-inch sound attenuating batting insulation. Exterior materials for the north and east exterior elevations included striated colored concrete, smooth colored concrete, brick, vertical wood paneling, glass and corten steel roof. Materials for the south and west elevations were the same, with the addition of pre-cast concrete panels, and stucco infill between the upper story windows. With the only alterations noted above on the interior, it appears that little has changed about this unusual building. The dedication was held on January 23rd, 1970. Paul Jacobson, then dean of the College of Education, presided over the ceremony. Speakers were Clay Meyers, Oregon Secretary of State; Dale Parnell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Roy Lieuallen, State Chancellor of Higher Education; and Robert Clark, University President. Of interest, Arthur Flemming, President of Macalester College and former University President, and Wayne Morse, former U.S. Senator from Oregon, were the main speakers for the dedication.