Castle on the Hill ~ Eugene, OR

Completed in 1888, the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, or the "Castle on the Hill" has watched over the city of Eugene, OR for over a century. We noted the house on our train rides in and out of Eugene and have tried twice before to visit.

I read the website wrong and we showed up just as they were closing a bit after 1:00 p.m. The curator was gracious and allowed us in and told us to take our time. She answered our questions, gave us self-guided tour notebooks and made herself available for more questions at the end of the tour. Wonderful customer service. 

Can you see the "1888" on the side of the home? 

Alex, Dad, Stacia, Lorri, Nolan, Me, Mom 

Dr. Thomas Shelton, and his wife Adah, originally bought over 300 acres from Mary Skinner. They owned the entire Skinner's Butte.  Early pictures show a grassy knoll with grazing sheep. They (and the McMurphey family) planted the many trees and bushes which currently thrive on the butte. The property now consists of 1 acre.  The house has survived two fires. The first was started by a disgruntled workman before the home was completed. The house had to be reconstructed. Total cost came in at $8,000. The second fire occurred during a remodel. 

Dr. Shelton established a lucrative medical practice.  He was also a druggist and part owner of the first water utility company in Eugene. The Sheltons lived in the Castle on the Hill until 1893, when Dr. Shelton died of Leukemia at the age of 49. Adah sold the house to her daughter, Alberta. 

Site of 4 McMurphey weddings

Alberta married Robert McMurphey in an alcove in the parlor. The couple had four daughters and two sons. Three of their daughters were married in the same alcove. The house is currently hosting an exhibit called the Traditional Bride. Informative reading on various wedding customs, along with antique wedding attire are sprinkled throughout the home. 

Alberta was one of the first graduates of the UofO's school of music in 1886. She taught music in the high-school until her marriage, and then offered lessons in her parlor. Robert McMurphey was involved in real estate, insurance and became manager of the Eugene Water company - founded by his father in law. He also owned a woolen company. 

Eva Frazer Johnson returned to Eugene with her mother, after the death of her father while she was an infant. She lived around the corner from the McMurphey family and was good friends with the McMurphey children. She grew up loving and dreaming of living in the Castle on the Hill. She married Curtis Johnson and both became doctors. Curtis specialized in Pediatrics, while she specialized in General Medicine. Eva became a pioneer in Psychiatry and specialized in personal and divorce counseling.  When the home came on the market after Alberta's death in 1949, Eva purchased the home for $30,000. 

The Johnsons had the turret restored and Curtis created the ultimate man cave on the 3rd floor. He once locked himself inside and so cut a small hole through the wall to reach out and open the door. I'm not sure why they didn't install a knob that would open from the inside. LOL

In her later years, Eva rented the upstairs rooms to university students and single parent families. She offered the home to her children in 1975, but none of them were able to take it. She gave the house to the Lane County Historical Society with the stipulation that she be allowed to live in the home until her death. Eva died in 1986 at the age of 97, the home was transferred from the county to the City of Eugene. 

Mustache cup - love it! 

My dream kitchen window

Several public teas are offered throughout the year at the house, the house is also available to rent for weddings, private teas and meetings.

This was a fun tour and provided insight into local history. The cost was only $5 per adult with a Triple A discount. 

Science Comes to Life

We have been studying the ocean and animals of the ocean.  One thing we learned about was rivers, streams, creeks start on mountains as streams, growing and rushing downwards - always flowing towards the ocean. We discussed how all rivers flow into the ocean at some point....and that the water is a mix of salt and fresh at the estuary/mouth of the river.

This caught Stacia's imagination and she spent time during the rain at Beale Fam Camp looking at streams of water running from our site (on a rise), down the road and to a field that became a pond in heavy rain. She noted the same principle.

I was thrilled today when I noted we were at the mouth of Cape Creek.....This is when science comes to life.

Pointing out the tidal mouth - with Cape Creek behind us

The water clearly flowed towards the ocean, while the waves flowed into the river....

Stacia crossed the "river" so that she could taste undiluted salt water. LOL 

A Day at the Beach

Caution  - caution! Lots of photos to follow! ::snort::

We took advantage of the unseasonably warm OR weather to head to the coast today!  The girls were working and BreZaak are otherwise occupied this week ::wink::.....but we still managed a crowd. We headed off with Mom, Dad, us and Lorri (my cousin) and YUUKI! We drove through Florence and stopped when Yuuki needed out....at the parking lot of Heceta Head Lighthouse.

deleted 3 other photos - trying to keep this manageable

 This seemed like a good place to stop. We knew the hike was an easy 1/2 mile to the lighthouse - comfortable for all. We had thought we'd drive on up to Newport and Depoe Bay but in the end decided this would work just as well. The aquarium would cost us over $100 to tour and this was $5.  It's an outdoor aquarium and rain was predicted. We'll do it when we are SURE we won't have to slog through the rain.

Lorri (cousin) and me

Leaves

Traveling Trio - Stacia, Alex and Nolan

Loved the view from the top 

Michael and me (De'Etta)

We enjoyed the tour. It turns out our tour guide is retired Air Force. Long after the tour was over, Michael and he continued to reminisce....he shared his thoughts about where we should eventually retire.  The kids spotted this creature in the water - we assume a sea lion as that is what the board suggested could be seen. I may have seen a whale blow - but I may have not. The views form the top are stunning.

Sea Lion 

After our tour and hike, lunch was next on our agenda. What better spot than HERE at the beach?

Evidently odd expressions while unloading picnics is genetic! 

Family picnic on the beach!

It didn't take Stacia long to begin constructing all manner of sand structures - lighthouses, oceans, volcanoes, butterflies etc.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse, channel, ocean, volcano - schooling at it's best 

Lorri was fascinated with the caves. We were too. She headed to a cave and we all chased her down and beat her to the cave.

Spelunkers

Lorri sees stars - right after she bonked her head

Playing on the beach is a natural

I say, "Jump." They say, "How high?" ::snort:: 

We really wanted to fly kites - but surprisingly there wasn't enough wind to really do this! 

"Run, De'Etta! There are pants following you!"  Things you don't expect to hear. 

Michael and the boys explored a second cave

Alex learned how slippery moss can be while exploring this cave! 

Dad/Grandpa napped

Lovely bridge

Hwy 101 is a gorgeous drive.

We drove back down Hwy 101 to Old Town Florence. We walked along the harbor and  visited a few shops.

Lorri and Stacia

Note the RV park in the back.....

 I love the sense of adventure our new lifestyle is birthing in our kids. Stacia was contemplative as we walked along the harbor. Finally, she said, "When we're done with the RV thing, we should move onto a boat and sail around for awhile...a new dream is born....EXCEPT I GET TERRIBLY MOTION SICK!

Is it possible? 

What a lovely day! No one got motion sick, we all had a great time. Sun-filled day - no rain at all! 

Update from Arielle

A letter from Arielle. 

Greetings earthlings!

This year has been one of many changes and transitions for me. In May, I graduated from high school. I spent the remaining month of May prepping for my move to Oregon to start college. In June, I had the pleasure of spending a week doing a VBS (Vacation Bible School) in Imuris, Mexico. It was amazing to bring smiles and laughter to all the kids! It was also fantastic to see all the friends I'd made the previous year when I had spent five weeks in Imuris. July found me moving up to Oregon then going back to California in August to celebrate my dad's retirement from the Air Force. After a whirlwind visit, I was back in Oregon moving into my new home, starting my first "real" job, and starting my first semester of college! Since then, I've met many amazing people, worked hard, cried hard, laughed hard and learned so many lessons I can't possibly cover all of them here! If I had to pick one thing God has been teaching me, I would have to say the power of joy. Sounds a lil' funny, huh? But it's true! He has shown me how joy can chase away darkness, give life to others, and get me through everything involved with "adulting."

This June, I have the pleasure of going to Imuris Kids Kingdom again with an awesome team! Imuris Kid’s Kingdom is a non-profit orphanage credentialed through Open Bible. They opened their doors fifteen years ago to the children of Mexico. Imuris Kid’s Kingdom normally has around thirty children staying with them. This orphanage is run like a large family. Imuris Kid’s Kingdom is also a community center and a support for the local single moms. The youth that live there are placed there by the government after being taken out of abusive homes or off the streets. Imuris is also unique in that they are one of the few orphanages who gladly take in teenagers. In fact, a large percentage of the children are teenagers. I'll be spending a week there doing another VBS, spreading God's joy and showing God's love to the orphanage and surrounding community. 

And guess what?!? You can get involved too! Prayers are always needed and appreciated. Pray for a safe trip there and back. Pray that all the details will come together. Most of all, pray that lives will be touched and changed by God's love. Another way you can help is through your donations. Money for traveling expenses and supplies would be a huge blessing! Donations can be sent to Lively Stone Fellowship with my name, Arielle Go. (3791 Pattison St Eugene OR 97402T; Tax ID number 90-0345290 donations are tax deductible) We are also collecting cans and bottles!

Thank for your time, prayers and donations!
Sincerely,
Arielle Go

Note if you do not know Arielle's last name and would like to send a donation for her, feel free to email me at dschoosingjoy@gmail.com and I'll supply her name. We just don't publish our last name on the blog. 

Bella is One Week Old

Bella turned a week old today. BreZaak sent photos of her first bath! What a cutie! 

Hello, Bright Eyes!