Eugene

Surrounded by farmlands, forests, and mountains, Eugene is the seat of Lane County and is located at the confluence of the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. It lies along Interstate 5, between Salem and Roseburg, about 110 miles south of the state's largest city, Portland.

Settled in 1846 and named after Eugene F. Skinner, the original settler, Eugene was plotted in 1852 and again in 1853 on a higher elevation. It was incorporated in 1862. The city flourished as a regional lumbering and agricultural hub following the railroad's arrival in 1871.

Today Eugene, population 142,000, is a major lumber and wood products center. Eugene has long been considered one of the state's most diverse cities recreationally, featuring 250 miles of bicycle trails. Water sports opportunities can be found along both rivers, with the McKenzie having excellent white water. Nearby Fern Ridge reservoir hosts powerboating and yachting.

Eugene is the home of the University of Oregon and was listed in the June 2002 issue of Bike magazine as "One of the five best Mountain Biking Towns in America"

Eugene is part of the Eugene-Springfield, Oregon urban area (pop. 225,000) and metro area (pop. 335,000).