EUGENE WATER  &  ELECTRIC  BOARD

Eugene is located at the southern end of the lush Willamette Valley. Eugene is the county seat for Lane County, which is approximately the size of Connecticut and extends from the Cascade Mountains summit to the Pacific Ocean. The Willamette River runs through the city.

Combined with Springfield, adjacent to Eugene to the east, more than 200,000 people live in the immediate metropolitan area.

Mild winters, long growing seasons, plenty of rain (but fairly dry summer months), proximity to outdoor recreation, a diverse economy and very few extreme weather events make Eugene an attractive place to live.

The McKenzie is the sole source of water for Eugene residents. Organic Style magazine named EWEB's water the best in the nation in 2004.

Once inhabited by the Kalapuya tribe of Native Americans, the city of Eugene was founded by Eugene Skinner, who built the first cabin in 1846 near what is now called Skinner Butte. Eugene and the surrounding area was an attractive destination for pioneers arriving from journeys along the Oregon and Applegate trails.

Skinner and Judge David Risdon platted and recorded Eugene City in 1852; the town was incorporated in 1862. The name was changed to Eugene in 1864, and the first city council was elected in 1865.

Eugene's population began to grow rapidly after the Oregon-California Railway was completed in 1871.