Less is More, Shelton-McMurphy House circa 1895

Here is a photo from the Oregon State Archives of the Shelton McMurph-Johnson house showing again that the original stairs leading to the house were very simple and under stated, not the out of proportion monstrosity being installed now. Too bad something along the lines of the original could not have been constructed and the left over funds used to replicate the wonderful Victorian fence that once surrounded the estate.

Southern Pacific Depot

Here a large crowd gathers for a now unknown event at the Southern Pacific Train Depot. It was most likely to great some visiting dignitary. The fountain mentioned in last Wednesday's post can be seen in front of the depot on the right. The Shelton-McMurphy House can be seen on the Butte with one of the many warehouse that used to line the tracks, between it and the depot.

A Now Impossible View

It seems that most of the photos taken from the top of Skinners Butte looked out due south over downtown and few early shots included the growing University of Oregon campus to the south-east. Starting at left is the bend of the Willamette River with Villard and Deady Hall in the upper center of the photo. Just below center is the Midgely Mill complex approximately at the far western reaches of the current E.W.E.B. site. In the extreme lower left is the rear of the Cogswell-Miller house of 1884. This house was moved in 1909 to its current location at 246 E. 3rd. In the extreme lower right is the back of the Shelton-McMurphy house. This view would now be impossible as the Ya Po Ha Terrace (along with a heavy stand of huge firs all over the butte) now looms up on the left about where the old Shelton carriage house stood.

Shockingly Inappropriate

I just saw this photo of the new staircase being built to access the Shelton-McMurphy-Johnson House from the south side of the property. I am shocked and disappointed at how wildly inappropriate this massive structure is in comparison to the relatively humble Victorian house. Not to mention total lack of historical presidence as to what was originally in place when the house was first built. Yes, as far as similar structures in Eugene, there are none and the S.M.J. house is by far our most grand surviving Victorian home, but it is by no means worthy of a staircase that would be more fitting as the entrance to a huge (modern) Court House or other massive public building. Originally the terraced south yard was connected by a series of two or three understated stairs that did not appear to even have railings. I of course understand, that now with the house being used as a public venue, safety must be taken into consideration, but low key iron railings could have been installed with great savings and with far more visual and historical success. Massive failure....