The Victorian era lives on at the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, a historic residence overlooking the heart of Eugene. See the house peeking through the trees next to Eugene’s Skinner Butte Park. Immediately recognizable by its brightly painted exterior, fanciful Queen Anne-style architecture and hilltop position, the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is often called the Castle on the Hill. The blue-green exterior evokes the color of the ocean along the Pacific Northwest.
The house is named in honor of the three families who lived here over the years. Look for the changes and additions that each family made to create the house you see today. In 1888, Dr. T.W. Shelton chose the iconic location for his family home. In the early 20th century, Robert McMurphey moved in and expanded it. When the Johnsons moved here in 1951, they remodeled the home and restored its original turret. Today, the City of Eugene owns the Castle on the Hill.
Attend one of the formal afternoon teas held throughout the year. Event highlights include Valentine’s Day Tea in February, Steampunk Tea in March, Mother's Day Tea in May, Harvest Tea in September and a series of Holiday Teas in December. Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts with piping hot tea. The events are very popular, so contact the house in advance to reserve your spot.
Join a guided tour of the home to explore the first floor, which is filled with original Victorian antiques and decor. Afterward, step outside to enjoy the lush yards and manicured gardens surrounding the house.
Access the house by car, by bike or on foot. Drivers can park in the large lot behind the nearby Eugene Amtrak Station while cyclists will find bike parking on the east side of the house.
The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is closed Mondays. Pay a small admission fee at the front desk, where you can also pick up visitor information and arrange a guided tour.
