Check out the Fairmount History Project Booklet, produced in spring of 2011.  Did you know that Fairmount was once a town, incorporated in 1892?  Or that the “Fairmount Loop” electric streetcar circled through, connecting it to central Eugene from 1909 to 1927?

Located in the southeastern part of the Fairmount is Eugene's oldest park, Hendricks Park. The 78 acre park was established in 1906.  It is protected and maintained by the non-profit Friends of Hendricks Park. Find out more about the park and the work of this 501(c) at their website: http://www.FriendsOfHendricksPark.org

Visit the Lane County Historical Society and Museum to learn more about the history of all of Lane County!

1. Determine your tax lot number.   Use the tax lot number found on your last year's tax accessor bill and physical address to search through documents at the County Deeds and Records office.

2. Look on your sidewalk for a date and contractor names.   Use a metal detector in your yard to uncover old coins and other artifacts.  One neighbor found a long buried strong box with a variety of liquors.  Perhaps this was the first owner’s stash during prohibition?   Look inside at walls and moldings for original materials and styles.  Get your eye and brain in training to seek out small details for your research project.

3. Get friendly with County Deeds and Records.   They may have the original building permit information, construction dates and costs, as well as the names of the architect, contractors and/or the original owners.  If you do not have a copy of your home’s abstract, ask for a copy from Deeds and Records.  The abstract records all deeds or legal transactions associated with your home, including the name of the home’s previous owners.

4. With information about previous owners in hand, look through the various directories or census records. Census reports have been issued every 10 years since 1840.  Due to privacy concerns, the Census Bureau delays issuing complete records for 70 years.  Another resource is the Eugene Public Library.  The Library houses both alphabetical and reverse directories.  The most useful for historic research will be the telephone directory and the Polk Directory.  The University of Oregon Knight Library also has multiple formats of historic resources.

5. Look through newspaper archives.  The Historic Oregon Newspapers project through the UO’s Oregon Digital Newspaper Program is an incredible resource! Look through the time period when your home was built (remember that street addresses and names may have changed over time).  Look for mentions of construction projects, names of previous owners, sales and rental ads.  You may even find an old photo!

     Resources:     http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/      Google Historic Newspapers

6. The UO’s Map and Aerial Photography (MAP) Library has aerial photos dating as far back as the late 1920s.  That section of the library also houses atlases and insurance maps.  In particular, look for the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, which indicate lot size, outlines of buildings, heights, materials and any changes made to the lot or buildings (with approximate dates).  Most of the maps and atlases are housed in public areas, but older and fragile maps require assistance for use.  Resources: Map & Aerial Photography (MAP) Library, Knight Library, First Floor, 541-346-3051; map@uoregon.edu general documents center/help desk for MAPS library.

7. Talk to your neighbors.  Many long-term residents are willing to speak to the history of your home and the neighborhood in general.  Invite people over for coffee and ask questions.