The Kalapuyans (Calapooia or Calapooya) were the first people to settle in the Eugene area. They collected and preserved many local foods, storing them in their winter villages. However, when these particular activities declined, they remained in their villages and began instead to fish, hunt and trade with others. At the start of the 19th century, French fur traders settled in the Willamette Valley, in keeping with the seasons for their activities. They took Native wives, and between 1828 and 1830, they moved in permanently, keeping livestock and growing crops. In July 1830, the local native inhabitants contracted what was believed to be malaria, and between 1830 and 1841 there was a loss of more than 90% of the Kalapuya population to the disease. At the start of 1840, Anglo-American settlers arrived, and by around 1860, the remaining Kalapuyans had been moved to Indian reservations. Eugene Franklin Skinner, who gave his name to the city, arrived in 1846, together with 1,200 other settlers. He built a cabin on Skinner's Butte as a trading post which became an official post office in 1850. The now-famous University of Oregon was officially state-instituted in 1872, opening in 1876. Apart from a slight downturn caused in 1980’s with problems in the timber industry, Eugene continued to grow during the twentieth century, and by 1985, Eugene’s recovery brought in high-tech industries, leading it to be dubbed the Silicon Shire in 2012.

There are numerous parks in and around the city, as well as an urban forest at University of Oregon. There is Hendricks Park, Alton Baker Park and Skinner Butte Park, to mention but three. These are superb for a local fresh air getaway. The Willamette National Forest, with waterfalls and geothermal hot springs, and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, are within easy driving distance. Along Oregon Route 58, there are several lakes and reservoirs. This all helps make it perfect for those considering buying a mobile home in Eugene.

The city’s Saturday Market at the Lane County Events Center is over 50 years old, and was the very first Saturday market of its kind in the USA. For almost 40 years, Eugene has been dubbed the "Track and Field Capital of the World." Autzen Stadium, where the famous Ducks call home has a seating capacity of 54,000 for American Football, isparticularly popular in Eugene.

Knight Library, Oregon’s largest library, can be found at the University of Oregon, containing over three million books and 100,000 digital items is certainly worth a visit.

Those who like to shop or dine out will find plenty of choice in Eugene. The Valley River and Oakway Centers have everything you need as well as everything you want. The city is also well-known for superb restaurants to suit all tastes, from steak houses to seafood, and experimentation in gastronomy to home-brewed beer taverns.