It was built in 1888 on a hill overlooking the city of Eugene, Oregon. The three families who occupied the house witnessed and contributed to the transformation of Eugene from a frontier farming town to a thriving education and commercial center. Known in its day as the "Castle on the Hill," the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House stands as a classic example of Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion of the late 19th century.

Up On The Hillside The single most remarkable feature of the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House landscaping is its setting on the south slope of Skinner Butte. In fact, when the house was built in 1888, it was often referred to as the "Castle on the Hill" because of the panoramic views of Eugene and the surrounding hills.

The original owners, Dr. T.W. Shelton and his wife, Adah, at one time owned all of Skinner Butte. The original estate has been greatly reduced in the area during the latter half of the 20th century. Today the property is a little over an acre in size. The location of the house on a terrace with a commanding view is in the tradition of the Italian Renaissance villa or the English manor house. The main terrace afforded level ground for formal gardens to the east and west of the house, while to the south a series of hillside terraces offered the potential for additional gardens.

The Parlor Upon entering this magnificent old house, if you go to the left you will be in the parlor. The parlor was reserved for special occasions and for music practice. All of the McMurphey children played musical instruments.

The Dining Room If you continue through the parlor, you come to the dining room. There was a walnut dining table with rounded drop leaves that could seat 14. Everyone was expected to be present for meals three times a day at set hours.

The Sitting Room The McMurphey children spent much of their summers outdoors, but in the winter, the sitting room was the hub of activity. It was stocked with sturdy furniture: oak rockers, footstools, oak library table, and in 1912 an oak and leather davenport was added.

The Gallery It is now the gallery for rotating exhibits but in days gone by, it was the master bedroom. What a magnificent bedroom it must have been. You could see all of downtown Eugene from this room. This was The Castle On The Hill.

The Boys Bedroom As you come to the top of the staircase, you face the boys room. What a wonderful bedroom this would have been for the young McMurphey boys about 1888.

The Girls Bedroom The girls bedroom overlooked the young city of Eugene. The morning sun could brighten the room to set a cheerful for the rest of the day. That is when it was not overcast!

The Porch Bedroom On the North side of the house, the porch was converted into another bedroom. More room for sleeping and a great place to spend a warm night.

Somewhere In Time

The guestroom also know as grandmother's room, will take you back to somewhere else in time. It is hard to stand in this room and look out one of the windows to the city of Eugene below, and not be taken back to another place in time. It is easy to try and imagine the old steam engine stopping at the old railway station just at the foot of the hill. It is fun to try and think what the young city of Eugene was like back in 1888 when this old house was filled with so much life.

Front porch view from The Castle On The Hill

After you have had some time to visit this beautiful old house, that has stood so proudly since 1888, you might find it just a little hard to say goodby. As you step out onto the porch, you will be overlooking the old train station that was recently remodled. The old train station and the McMurpher House have been neighbors for more than one hundred years. For more than a hundred years visitors have been riding the train to or through Eugene, and for more than a hundred years they have been able to look up on the side of Skinner's Butte and see The Castle on The Hill, The Shelton McMurphey House.

The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House Museum
303 Willalmette Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401

MUSEUM HOURS Tuesdays - Fridays 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Phone 541-484-0808