Old City Hall

1911

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Cottage Grove Downtown Commercial Historic District

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Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

1. Old City Hall Marker

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This stately building replaced an unusual vernacular frame structure that was used as a fire hall from at least 1898. Constructed to symbolize city government, this neoclassical building was designed by the prominent Eugene architect, John Hunzicker. Hunzicker arrived in Oregon from Wisconsin in 1903, and settled in Eugene, where he became a member of several fraternal organizations. It was through these organizations that he received many of his building commissions, which included commercial and residential structures, as well as civic buildings. Hunzicker designed several other Cottage Grove buildings, including the Armory, the Stewart Building, the Club Tavern and the Stewart residence.

Prior to accepting Hunzicker’s bid for this building, the Cottage Grove City Council made arrangements to inspect city halls in other parts of the Willamette Valley. After a study of government architecture the City Council approved the hiring of the Hunzicker firm for the design of Cottage Grove’s City

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

2. Old City Hall Marker

Hall. The City Council held their first meeting in the new building on February 14, 1927. Originally constructed to include city offices, jail, fire station and the library, the building served this use until the new library was built in 1950, the new fire hall in 1969, and finally a new city hall in 1974. After the removal of the fire department in 1969 the folding wooden doors on the south bay were removed. Fixed pane glass, without transoms, were installed to utilize this space for offices. The building remained the property of the City until 1978 when it was sold to a private individual for use as office and retail space.

This City Hall was a typical multi-use municipal building of its era, as it was common for small rural communities to house several public facilities in one building. The interior has a central stairway with dark moldings and original doors on the first and second floors. Architectural terra cotta is the decorative material accenting the entrance opening with its ornate pediment and side walls. The words “CITY HALL’’ are engraved on the lintel tiles. Inside the vestibule there is wood detailing that articulates the moldings in the double passage doors. The horizontality of the roof line is accentuated by the geometrically decorated parapet wi^ clay tile coping. The side parapets are stepped.

The old City Hall is located on a parcel

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

3. Old City Hall

of land that was part of the William Shield’s donation land claim. This has been a publicly owned site since the platting of the block in the 1880s. Because this building was designed by Eugene architect John Hunzicker its significance is increased, and it is eligible for inclusion in the thematic portion of the nomination as a significant example of the work of John Hunzicker in the Cottage Grove community. This is a fine example of civic architecture for Cottage Grove and is a familiar landmark to local citizens.