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By Taj Barnhart Morgan on
National Lampoon's irreverent and slapstick comedy "Animal House"was filmed in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region in the late 70s.
Today, this both hilarious and present-day politically-incorrect movie has become a cultural centerpiece inEugene. Singing "Shout" is a beloved football tradition. And in 2016, Nike released a must-watch YouTube recreationof the"Shout"movie scenefeaturing a long list of accomplished Duck athletes and alumni.
While many of the original film sites around theUniversity of Oregon campus,Cottage GroveandLowellhave morphed into modern environments, some are still easily identifiable and fun to visit.
Eugene - University of Oregon
Relive the infamous scenes from "Animal House"on theUniversity of Oregoncampus using the UO's "Animal House"map.
Remember when Flounder brings the horse into Dean Wormer's office? That is reallyJohnson Hall. This historic building from 1915 still houses administration offices, including the office of the president. And the Emily Dickinson Collegewhere Otter picks up four dates with a phony ploy of bereavement — that is actuallyGerlinger Hall, built in 1919 as a facility dedicated to women. Gerlinger Hall was refurbished in 2016 to preserve the historic exterior and convert interior spaces into studios, meeting rooms and recreational spaces.
Check outCarson Hall,Flounder and Pinto's dormitory, and the dorm kitchen where agolf ball splashed into a pot of soup.
Along East 11th, between Hilyard and Alder Streets, are the film sites for the pretentiousOmega House,the decrepit Delta Houseand the Pi Pi Pi Sorority House. The Omega Housebelongs to the present-dayPhi Kappa Psi fraternityand is still lived in (currently rented to theAlpha Sigma fraternity). But all that remains of the Delta Houseis an onsite plaque. The building used for the filming was torn down in the 80s. The Pi Pi Pi Sorority House— once theSigma Nu fraternity —was purchased by theNorthwest Christian Collegewhich later became Bushnell University.
Cottage Grove
The homecoming parade took place on the Main Street ofthis "All America" town.Cottage Grovestill pays tribute to the paradescene's chaos with its replica Deathmobile and record-setting toga parties as they did to celebrate the movie's 40th reunion. As you explore Cottage Grove you may recognize sites from other movies, as this charming town has been the backdrop to Hollywood sets since the silent film era.
Lowell / Dexter
Just 20 minutes from Eugene is the Dexter Lake Club roadhouse still sporting its neon sign. This iswhere Otis Day & the Knights were performing when the "Delta House" members rolled in with their dates. Since then the building has weathered several incarnations and cosmetic changes.Now called the Rattlesnake BBQ, this famous cafe is a must-stop directly off Highway 58 across from beautiful Dexter Lake inLowell. You can still catch live local music here on special event evenings.
Author
Taj Barnhart Morgan
Taj Barnhart Morgan is the Director of Content Strategy for Travel Lane County. A journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, Taj has two decades of special event management and hospitality marketing experience in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Passionate about mothering, and back to her Oregon roots, she is discovering the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region all over again through the eyes of her daughter.
