Shelton McMurphey Johnson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shelton McMurphey Johnson House and Grounds
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Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
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 Location in Eugene OR
Location in Oregon
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| Location | 303 Willamette St., Eugene, Oregon |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Walter D. Pugh, Nels Roney & W. H. Abrams |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003028 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1984 |
The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, also known as the Castle on the Hill, is a beautiful old home in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It was built during the Victorian era, a time when Queen Victoria ruled England. This house is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
The house is named after the three families who lived there over many years: the Sheltons, the McMurpheys, and the Johnsons. Today, you can visit this amazing house on public tours or for special private events.
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Where is the Castle on the Hill?
The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is located at 303 Willamette Street in Eugene. It sits on the south side of Skinner Butte, a large hill. From the house, you can look down and see the train station and the busy downtown area of Eugene.
The Story of the House
Building the House in 1888
The house was built in 1888 for a person named T. W. Shelton. It was designed by an architect from Salem, Oregon, named Walter D. Pugh. The house was built in the Queen Anne style, which was very popular back then. This style is known for its fancy decorations and unique shapes.
During its first construction, the house had a fire. But it was rebuilt and finished.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the house changed a few times.
- In the 1910s, the house was made bigger for the McMurphey family.
- In 1951, Curtis and Eva Johnson remodeled the house. They brought back its original round tower, called a turret.
- Sadly, the house had another big fire in 1950 during the Johnson family's remodel. But it was fixed up again!
Who Owns the House Today?
Eva Johnson gave the house to Lane County in 1976. Now, the City of Eugene owns it. A special group called Shelton McMurphey Johnson Associates, which is a non-profit organization, helps keep the house open for everyone to enjoy.
What Does the House Look Like?
Queen Anne Style Details
The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is easy to spot because of its unique Queen Anne style. It has lots of fancy carved wood decorations. It also has a large, round tower, which is called a turret. The house is painted a lovely green color with matching trim.
Size and Property
The house has two main floors, plus a basement and an attic. It measures about 54 feet by 37 feet. The property it sits on is about 1.25 acres. When the house was first built in 1888, the property also had a barn and a carriage house. Later, a garage was added.
Today, only the main house remains from the original buildings. However, some new things have been added, like a chicken coop, a greenhouse, and a dog kennel. Many of the original trees and plants are still growing on the property. The whole project cost about $8,000 back in 1888.
Skinner Butte and Its Importance
The house is located on Skinner Butte. This hill is very important to the history of Eugene, Oregon. The city was founded by a settler named Eugene Skinner, and the butte is named after him. This large area, about 100 acres, offers many fun activities. You can go hiking, try rock climbing, or visit the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House museum.
