The Kalapuyans were the first to occupy the area that is now present-day Eugene. The first Europeans to settle in the area were French fur traders who occasionally lived in the Willamette Valley and traded with the native tribes. Some of the French fur traders married women from the native tribes. In 1840, Anglo-American settlers began to settle in the area, and within twenty years, more than 11,000 American settlers lived in this area. As more European and Anglo-American settlers moved to the area, the remaining Kalapuyans were forcibly relocated to Indian reservations. The city was named after Eugene Franklin Skinner, who arrived in the area in 1846 together with 1,200 settlers. Eugene Franklin Skinner built a cabin on the west slope of “Ya-po-ah” hill, now known as Skinner’s Butte. Eugene continued to grow economically until the 1980s when a downturn in the timber industry caused massive unemployment. The economy of Eugene recovered in 1985 as many high-tech industries moved to the city leading to the nickname “Emerald Shire.” Most of the residents in Eugene are active in local politics and have greatly influenced some policies and laws in the city.

Eugene is a great place for people who like outdoor activities. There are numerous facilities for outdoor activities like hiking, jogging, picnicking, rock climbing, and camping, among others. The Willamette River Bike Trail offers the best trails for walking, biking, and jogging. The trail also has park benches and picnic areas to enjoy a good time with your family and friends. If you love hiking or rock climbing, you can visit the Skinner Butte Park, which has several hiking trails. Other places you can visit for some outdoor activities include McKenzie River Trail, Mount Pisgah, and Hendricks Park.
Eugene is also known for its breweries; therefore, if you are a wine or beer lover, there are some breweries you can visit to taste and buy wine or beer. The Sweet Cheeks Winery, located in the Southern Willamette Valley, makes some of the best wines in the city. You can sample some of the wines they make at the brewery in the tasting room, and to ensure you have a good time tasting the wines, you will be served artisanal cheese and fresh, locally grown fruits. When you are done with wine tasting at the Sweet Estate Winery, you can also visit the King Estate Winery. There are close to 700 wineries in the city; you will have a great time visiting some of them while living in Eugene.
College sport is a big part of Eugene, and if you love watching sports, you can attend some of the matches on the college campus. The University of Oregon Ducks football team is the most popular college sports team in the city, but there are other sports teams from the University of Oregon and other colleges that you can watch and support during your free time. If you love art and craft, you can attend the Eugene Saturday Market, where you can buy various artifacts and enjoy live music. Eugene also hosts several annual events that you can attend to celebrate various subjects, such as the Asian Celebrations, the KLCC Microbrew Festival, Oregon Festival of American Music, Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival, and Eugene Celebration, among others.