Eugene Deep Dive
Eugene is Oregon's third largest city, after Portland and (just barely) Salem. It is known for its counterculture, its sports culture (especially football and track and field), its access to nature and the University of Oregon.
Eugene was first settled in the mid 19th century and has grown into a small metropolis. Neighboring Eugene is Springfield and the city is the anchor of Lane County, a largely forested county nearly the size of Connecticut which spans from the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the Cascade Range - about 120 miles west to east.
Eugene is mostly suburban in character with a small urban core in the downtown area. Southeast Eugene is notable for its close access to the Ridgeline Trail and dense forests. Whiteaker is the bohemian center of the city, just northwest of downtown.
Eugene was an early center of the hippie movement in the 1960s and has historically had a strong presence of anarchists. Nike Corporation has its origins here as well.
The city is located very close to the headwaters of the Willamette River, where its forks converge to form the main river. In the center of the city is Skinner Butte, and to the south is a small mountain called Spencer Butte, which is an excellent hike and scramble with a great view of the southern Willamette Valley and much of the hill country south of the city.
Culture