Photographed by jimmyinspazZz
The Shelton McMurphy House
303 Willamette Street
(driveway at 3rd and Pearl)
(541)484-0808
The Shelton McMurphy Johnson House, also known as the Castle on the Hill, boasts a rich history that's intricately woven into the fabric of Eugene, Oregon. On the south side of Skinner Butte next to Ya-poo-ah Terrace to the Northeast and overlooks the Train Station
From Grand Dreams to Arsonous Setback (1873-1888):
The story starts with Thomas Shelton and his wife Adah, who set roots in Eugene in 1873, having moved from Salem. They acquired
320 acres encompassing Skinner Butte from the city founders life Mary Cook Skinner Packard
Dr. Shelton, envisioning a grand residence overlooking the city's heart, commissioned architect Walter Pugh in 1887 to design a masterpiece.
Builder Nels Roney meticulously brought Pugh's design to life. However, tragedy struck shortly after completion when the house was inexplicably set ablaze. The culprit an angry employee remained a mystery for decades, until a confession on the perpetrator's deathbed finally shed light on the crime. The Shelton family persevered, and the house rose again from the ashes. As marked on the western elevation completion was in 1888.
An Architectural Gem
(1888-Present):
The Shelton McMurphy Johnson House stands as a testament to the late-Victorian era's architectural grandeur, specifically the Queen Anne Revival style.
Intricate woodwork adorns the house, while a polygonal tower, spacious porches, and bay windows add to its visual drama. For over a century, it has been a prominent landmark, drawing admiring glances from Eugene residents and visitors alike.
Shifting Tides & Enduring
Legacy
(1888-Present):
The house has seen ownership change hands over the years, serving as a home to three distinct families:
the Sheltons
1881-1893 Dr Shelton died of leukemia wife moved to Portland daughter Alberta was given house
the McMurphys
Alberta was a graduate of the piano conservatory at the University of Oregon. she married Robert McMurphy in The parlor of the house. The hardcore procreators met at a Christian conference in Minnesota overpopulating the Eugene community of 1,000 with two sons and four daughters. 3 of the 4 girls would also marry in The parlor. Robert died in 1921 in Roseburg (not the parlor) Haha. Alberta died 28 years later in 1949.
and the Johnsons.
Dr Eva Johnson lived nearby in another historic building the Campbell house. She was a childhood friend of the McMurphy children spending a lot of time in the house. Always dreaming of owning it when the sixth McMurphy children decided not to continue ownership. Eva Johnson and her husband Curtis bought the property for $30,000.
Curtis was a pediatrician and in the US army while Eva was a psychiatrist. The Ya-Po-ah Terrace purchase 3.25 acres to build the high rise Senior Living center in 1966. Curtis passed away a year later and in 1975 she made a deal that she would leave the property to the Lane County's Historical Society she could live there until she perished. Eva died in 1986 she was 97 years old.
Each family left their mark on the house's history, shaping its character.
Today, the house stands as a time capsule, its period furniture and carefully curated exhibits reflecting the lives of these families. Such as the enlargement by Robert McMurphy in 1910. In 1951 there was a remodel by Curtis and Eva Johnson fixing the original turret. During the remodel in 1950 the house caught fire for a second time with the craftsmanship and luck to survive.
A Window to the Past
(Present):
The Shelton McMurphy Johnson House has transcended its residential purpose and is now a museum open to the public. Eva Johnson deeded the 1.25 acre property to the City of Eugene to being maintained by a nonprofit group SMJH Associates. The house has been used in the Cherry Poppin' Daddies music video for Fly Me To The Moon. Also a Jeff Daniels movie called Grand Tour: Disaster In Time
The final cost in 1888 was $8,000 for the 1.25 acre property with house. The house is now 54' X 37' ft when built it would have been slightly smaller because it was enlarged in 1910 as mentioned above. Including a barn, carriage house and garage none of which exist today. Throughout the years the historic house has added a dog kennel, greenhouse and a chicken coop.
A good amount of the original trees and foliage are still on the property. The house has four floors (counting the basement) and 16 rooms (not counting the basement). The annual budget is $62,000 within average amount of guests just under 4,000/yearly.
Guests are charged:
$6 for adults
$3 for children
$5 for students or seniors
Members are free/membership is $35-250 a year
Admission free for up to six people with EBT card.
The property can also be rented for a
weekday at $75
the weekend for $130
with a cleaning deposit $200
alcohol rental fee of $100
Two summer camps are held:
one is a Museum Intensive costing $30-280
the other a Victorian finishing school at $5-160
Finally to include in the diverse array of economic capital collecting the Shelton McMurphy house also sells tea bonds for $1-1000. During WWII the government sold bonds to help support the war. Tea Bonds are in the same spirit and help fund the future of the Shelton McMurphy house.
Support the community, historic preservation and love for spooky old architecture in an obnoxiously over gentrifying neighborhood. Through guided tours and events, the house offers a captivating glimpse into 19th-century life in Eugene. It serves not only as a significant landmark but also as a community storyteller, ensuring Eugene's heritage is preserved for current and future generations.
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