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Skinner Descendent Lays Plaque At Eugene's Original Corner

The great-great grandson of city founder Eugene Skinner was on hand Thursday to lay a historic marker on the southeast corner of the city of Eugene’s original land claim.

The plaque was removed during construction of the new Whole Foods Grocery store. It commemorates the 1846 donation of 640 acres by Eugene Skinner and his wife. Ken Darling laid the plaque in a concrete inlet along the sidewalk on 8th Avenue near Ferry Street.
Darling: “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s actually kind of a thrill to see what was once my family’s.”
The Skinner family gave their land claim to the city for one dollar to establish Eugene. City Surveyor Tim Fassbender says all land development in downtown Eugene is based upon this corner.
Fassbender: “I think back in 1850 what the original surveyors were here doing and here I am perpetuating what they originally started. It’s quite an honor and a privilege.”
 

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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