W.O.W Hall: A Tribute to Eugene, Oregon’s Music Legacy
You may have heard of the bands above, and you may haven’t. and that’s the whole point. You never know what or who they’ll bring in, but you are never disappointed. Ask anyone who’s been there and they’ll tell you that no matter who’s playing, it will be a damn good show filled with energy and spirit.
WOW Hall as it stands today goes back to 1906 and the Woodmen of the World fraternal organization. The Woodmen bought what was then a Presbyterian church formed during the years of city founder Eugene Skinner and renamed it Woodmen of the World Hall. The present building was constructed in 1932 and was an ambitious project. The erfa of the Great Depression and an immense expense for the city it was, according to the Eugene Morning Register, the most expensive building constructed that year at a value of $8000 and considered, “modern in every detail.”
Volunteers provided much of the work and the end result was a beautifully crafted hall that utilized the best materials. During the thirties and forties, a large array of concerts, classes, meetings and theatrical productions were staged at the ‘Double-U-O-Double-U’ as it was called during this era. In the 1950’s, some of Eugene’s first rock and roll dances were held here. As the organization dwindled, the hall was used more and more for local and foreign events and performances until 1975.
In 1975 it was learned that the Hall would soon be sold and possibly demolished. A group of concerned enthusiasts from every juncture of the community organized to keep the Hall available. They formed as the Committee to Secure a Westside Community Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit corporation. Five months later the leaseholder gave notice that he intended to sell the Hall. One hundred thirty people attended a basement meeting in which he informed them he would give the community first option to buy the Hall at $75,000. The catch was that he needed the $10,000 down payment within thirteen days. Supporters organized a WOWathon to raise the money. The WOWathon consisted of five days and nights of continuous entertainment. With support from many organizations within the community, the money was raised.
Through the seventies and into the eighties the hall struggled to stay afloat, facing numerous financial crises and looming diasters like demolition, the community always came to its rescue. In the late seventies, volunteers agreed to run the Hall while raising money to pay off the mortgage. After about a year, the CCPA received a grant from the Eugene Arts Foundation. They used it to fix the hall, pay off debt, and finally pay their staff. In 1983 the community’s dream of owning the hall and their unwavering loyalty came to fruition. Increased attendance and more grants allowed the CCPA to pay off WOW Hall’s mortgage.
The W.O.W. Hall’s woes came to an end in 1996 when it was officially designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places. According to Eugene’s Newspaper, the Register Guard, “No building has stronger connections to Eugene’s yeasty culture.” W.O.W. Hall remains a benchmark of the Eugene Community.
A plethora of alternative and underground bands, and occasionally more well-known artists, come to Eugene to perform at the W.O.W. Hall. There is a large central stage with booths set along the sides and to the back, surrounding a large dance floor. Much of the time refreshments are sold, but alcohol is not, as the shows are open to all ages. Tickets range anywhere from five dollars to thirty depending on the show and the night you go. If you are in Eugene or are going to be visiting, make time to see a show. It will be awesome and unforgettable no matter who’s playing. Guaranteed.
