Cal Young, born in 1871 to pioneer parents Charles and Mary Young, grew up on the Kalapuya lands that would become Eugene. After attending Bishop Scott Academy in Portland at age 15, he tried football and stayed on to teach for two more years.
First Oregon football coach
When Young returned to Eugene, he was asked to help organize the University of Oregon’s first football team. He was hired as coach and led the squad in practice beginning in late 1893. To give the young team a real opponent, Young arranged for Albany Collegiate Institute (later Lewis & Clark College) to travel by train for Oregon’s inaugural game on March 24, 1894, on the field now occupied by the Lillis Business Complex. Oregon won decisively, 44‑2. Young handed off the coaching duties for the fall season, finishing with an undefeated 1‑0 record at age 22, the youngest coach in Oregon football history.
Preserving Lane County’s past
Beyond athletics, Young was a devoted historian. He collected pioneer wagons, farm tools, clothing, and costumes to safeguard the region’s heritage. In 1926 he launched the annual Oregon Trail Pageant, a multi‑day festival featuring plays, parades, and authentic wagons that drew over 2,000 participants. The final pageant ran in 1950, and the Lane County History Museum was built the following year to house the extensive collection.
One centerpiece of the museum is the Reed Wagon, a well‑preserved Oregon Trail covered wagon that once carried Bianca Reed, born in 1850, on the Barlow Road. In 1934, an 83‑year‑old Reed rode the same wagon as honorary queen of the pageant.
Community service and lasting impact
Known as “Mr. Lane County,” Young served as farmer, miner, police chief, school board member, county commissioner, and even manager of the Eugene opera house. At age 85, he passed away on January 30, 1957, and is buried at Gillespie Cemetery near the road that bears his name.
His legacy also includes the Oakway Golf Course. Beginning in 1929, Young converted part of his farmland into a public golf course, stating it was “for anyone to play his favorite sport.” Today, golfers on Oakway enjoy the same land that once nurtured pioneer families.
Why Young matters today
Young’s dedication to preserving local history and promoting accessible recreation reflects the values of faith, family, and liberty that continue to shape Lane County. His efforts remind residents that honoring the past strengthens community identity and inspires future generations.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
