Whiteaker, Eugene, Oregon facts for kids

The Whiteaker Neighborhood in Eugene, Oregon

The Whiteaker neighborhood, often called "the Whit," is a lively area in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It's located northwest of downtown Eugene and is mostly home to working-class families. While it used to be a place for farming and businesses, it's now mainly a residential area. The Whit is known for its strong community spirit, environmental efforts, and as a place where artists and new ideas thrive. It's also becoming a popular spot for fun evenings with many cool restaurants and bars.

History of the Whit

The Whiteaker neighborhood gets its name from John Whiteaker, who was Oregon's very first governor. He bought a large piece of land here in 1890. A school in the area was named after him, and that's how the neighborhood got its name. It sits northwest of downtown Eugene, right next to the Willamette River.

Early Days and Growth

Before the 1930s, a major road called U.S. Route 99 went through Whiteaker. This helped create a busy shopping area in the neighborhood. From the 1930s to the 1950s, farming was a big part of Whiteaker's economy. Many residents raised animals like cows. In the 1960s, lots of young people looking for different ways of life moved to the area. This led to new small businesses opening up in Whiteaker.

Community Action

The 1970s brought more community activism to the Whit. People living there worked together to stop a new highway from being built. They also pushed for the creation of Washington Jefferson Park under the Washington-Jefferson Street Bridge. Because of these efforts, the Whiteaker Community Council was formed to help guide the neighborhood.

Changes in the 1980s

In the early 1980s, more apartment buildings were built in Whiteaker, and some single-family homes were removed. At the same time, more people without homes came to the area. This made some people in other parts of Eugene think of Whiteaker differently. Today, the Washington-Jefferson Street Bridge and the Chambers Connector roads pass through the neighborhood, carrying many cars each day.

Who Lives in Whiteaker?

In 1990, a local newspaper, The Register-Guard, reported that Whiteaker had 5,050 residents. By 2000, the population grew to 6,000 people.

New Neighbors Arrive

During the 1990s, many young people from all over the United States moved to the neighborhood. They were interested in its unique community and political ideas. Also, in the early to mid-1990s, more Hispanic families moved to Whiteaker. The Eugene School District, which serves the neighborhood, reported in 1995 that 30% of its students spoke Spanish. Even with these changes, Whiteaker has remained a place where many working-class families live.

Whiteaker Today

In 2022, the Whiteaker Community Council worked with the City of Eugene to count what's in the neighborhood. They found that Whiteaker has 2,606 homes, 432 businesses, and 11 parks!

Well-Known People

Some famous people have lived in Whiteaker. These include John Zerzan, a writer who shares ideas about nature and society, and Margaret Seltzer, who is known for writing a memoir about her life.

Businesses and Places

Many buildings along Blair Boulevard, which is a main street in the neighborhood, are part of the Eugene Blair Boulevard Commercial Historic District. This means they are important historical places.

Local Spots

Some popular local businesses in Whiteaker include:

• Sam Bond's Garage, a well-known local tavern.
• The Ninkasi Brewing Company, a brewery that makes beer.
• Izakaya Meiji company, a Japanese restaurant that serves small dishes and whiskey.
• The Whiteaker Community Market, which is a Sunday market where you can find local farm products and art.

The Orthodox Church of St John the Wonderworker has also been a part of the neighborhood since 1997.

Images for kids

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  Washington Jefferson Park

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  Ninkasi Brewing Company

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  Storefronts

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  Red Barn Natural Grocery

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  Railroad tracks