About Bohemia Park
Communities shape us - the landscape we live in provides a connection to nature, the people and rituals around us influence our way of life, and industry helps shape our economy and provide for our prosperity. The sense of community that is fostered in small towns is especially influential, while also at risk as our world expands and digitizes. It is increasingly important to preserve the bonds that have informed who we are as a community, while investing in the promise of future generations and the value our collective progress can foster.
At one time, Bohemia Park’s physical location told a story of progress, industry, and opportunity. The bustling hub of town, busy with rail cars and innovation from local industry in mining and timber eventually helped shape Cottage Grove. As time passed and life changed, the 14-acre site was abandoned and sat vacant, a mere reminder of its once vibrant past. But some of our greatest citizens view vacancy as opportunity.
Such was the vision of L.L. “Stub” Stewart, long-time Cottage Grove resident, patron, and civil servant. Stewart dreamed of revitalizing the land and creating a community park where residents and visitors could immerse themselves in the town’s beauty, its history, and connect with one another. Bohemia Park is the result of Stewart’s vision and generosity - a true gift to the community that nurtured and influenced him as a young man.
Today, Bohemia Park is the cornerstone to historic downtown Cottage Grove - a centralized hub for families and the community to find balance and purpose amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. A place where residents can visualize the majesty of the Cascade foothills and can commune with family or neighbors to get away from it all. Bohemia Park creates a space for big town talent with a small town feel – from the symphony in the park to ballet recitals, high school celebrations and family gatherings, to the kick-off for various bike adventures along the Row River Trail. And stories throughout the park harken back to Cottage Grove’s colorful history and the legacy this community has created in the heart of the Southern Willamette Valley - a community founded on grit, survival, hardiness, and industry.
Bohemia Park’s purpose is to provide connection, recreation, and culture to fuel healthy, vibrant lives for all.
Five Heritage Themes of Bohemia Park
MINING
The Bohemia Mining District of southeastern Lane County has drawn the attention of prospectors and investors for more than 150 years. Gold, gravel, mercury, and unique clay deposits attracted miners to the rugged, heavily forested Western Cascades.
TIMBER
Western Oregon is natural timber country with massive forests driving enterprises for decades. Logging and lumbering provided thousands of jobs and helped develop the region. The Bohemia Logging Company, among others, contributed to the logging economy of the upper Willamette Valley.
RAILROAD
By 1871 steam technology meant railroad lines could carry farm products, lumber, and passengers north to the Columbia and distant markets, and carry supplies and ores to and from the Bohemia Mines. The Bohemia Park site was once the terminal and repair yards of the O & SE Railroad.
AGRICULTURE
The Applegate Trail brought people to Cottage Grove to farm. Crop specialization developed with the railroad innovations of the 1880’s. Farmers were able to ship out their crops via the railroad. Agriculture also helped support the Bohemia workers that lived an isolated life in the logging and mining camps.
RECREATION
Nature’s splendors have lured recreation seekers into the mountains and canyons east of the Willamette Valley for decades. Stub Stewart was a champion for parks and recreation throughout his life and he envisioned Bohemia Park as a place to celebrate and enjoy the heritage of Cottage Grove.
Our History
Bohemia Park’s site history reflects a century and a half of economic and social evolution that collectively shape present-day Cottage Grove.
Between the years of 1879 and 1991, the property was home to warehouses for the Southern Pacific Railroad line, a sawmill, and the Oregon Pacific and Eastern Railroad, among other businesses.
From 1991 to 2000, the 14-acre site sat vacant, with only a few old buildings and a roundhouse as reminders of its once vibrant past.
Born in Cottage Grove to LaSells and Jessie Hills Stewart, L.L. “Stub” Stewart was shaped by the local community and its surrounding forests. Stewart’s career was launched in 1946 when he and his brother, Faye, and a brother-in-law, Larry Chapman, bought a small lumber firm. Over time, Bohemia Lumber Company grew to become a multimillion-dollar enterprise with mills throughout Oregon and northern California.
Stub Stewart was committed to results and creating lasting change that improved the quality of life in the present and in perpetuity. He championed conservation efforts and was an advocate for protecting the unique spaces of Oregon for the future. He served 30 years on Oregon’s Parks and Recreation Commission and worked to ensure that the state’s natural gems were accessible to all Oregonians.
Late in life, Stewart began to envision a large community park where Southern Lane County residents and visitors could enjoy the beauty of the valley and be reminded of the history of the region. He wanted it to be located in Cottage Grove, the place where his life’s journey began.
Bohemia Foundation, under the direction of Stewart, purchased the site in 2000 and began working to produce a park that is a community centerpiece and a tribute to the area’s heritage. Stewart spent a lifetime giving to Oregon and its people. The park was a gift to the community that had nurtured him as a young man and served as the springboard for a legendary business, civic, and philanthropic career that benefited all of Oregon.
Bohemia Park creates a more vibrant downtown, attracts additional investment to the community, and serves as a living reminder of the work and contributions of earlier generations. Bohemia Park represents Stewart’s legacy, highlighting Oregon’s beauty and value for generations to enjoy in perpetuity.