Skinner Butte: Eugene's Park

By Karl Furlong

February 20, 2022

On the south bank of the Willamette River overlooking downtown Eugene, rising a modest 200 feet from the streets below, lies Skinner Butte. The reward for summitting this hillock is a somewhat obscured view of downtown Eugene to the south along with a glimpse of perhaps a better use of the hiker’s time slightly farther afield: Spencer Butte. Turning to the north and meandering down the Butte’s gentle slope, trees give way to a verdant stretch of grass that meanders along the bank of the river.

Skinner Butte is central to the history of Eugene. The city's first home was built on its western slope, and much of Eugene's early history involved either the Butte or its owners.

According to the Oregon Historical Society, Skinner was told by local Kalapuyans where to best build a home. They suggested the top of the Butte they called Ya-Po-Ah, meaning very high place, as it would protect against flooding. Clearly open to good advice, Skinner build his cabin in the recommended spot and then went on to claim a good deal more of the Kalapuya land for himself.

The town of Eugene was incorporated in the year 1862. Following in the footsteps of absolutely no one, it was decided that Skinner’s first name should be used.

Sitting on the south side of Skinner Butte is the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (SMJ House), named after the three different families that have occupied the house over the past hundred years. Each subsequent family taking a sliver of credit for the same sickly colored Victorian manse. Also known as Castle on the Hill, stretching the definition of the word castle to its very limits, the SMJ House is now owned and maintained by the city of Eugene.

Leah Murray has worked as the executive director of the SMJ House since 2014. Murray is well versed in the history of the Butte and has been witness to many changes in the area during her tenure.

“The Butte itself has been a community park since the 20s. And so, there's been a lot of work to make sure that it stays in the community,” said Murray, when asked about the history of the park. “We have to be careful what it looks like and how to take care of it.”

Once the home of an observatory, a quarry, and water reservoir, today the Butte acts as a southern anchor for the 100-acre Skinner Butte Park. Unsullied by development, the park provides a respite for city residents.

One hundred and seventy years later after Skinner built the first and last house on the Butte, it’s still nice place to spend some time.