Committed to Community
Walter A. Woodard’s influence on Cottage Grove was multifaceted, credited with giving Cottage Grove its biggest and lasting industry, a nationally acclaimed resort motor hotel, career opportunities and affordable housing. He also played an essential role in developing resources for the community, in particular, the realization of a new library and support for a modern hospital.
The Cottage Grove Library
One of Walter A. Woodard’s first charitable gifts was in 1942 with a $5,000 donation to the original Cottage Grove Library, then a modest space in the attic of City Hall. In 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Woodard began an 8-year effort to transform the empty lot next to City Hall into a standalone library for Cottage Grove. On July 1, 1950, the new W.A. Woodard Library opened its doors to a dedication and celebration with 1,500 people. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard were celebrated for their gift to the citizens of Cottage Grove. Read more about Mrs. W.A. Woodard’s influence on the formation of the library.
Explaining his gift, Woodard stated that he and Mrs. Woodard first thought of the library plan in 1942. “I have lived in Cottage Grove since 1900,” he said, “and I have found success here. Mrs. Woodard and I have wanted to do something for the entire community...building the library seemed to us to be the very best way of showing our appreciation and, at the same time, fulfilling a genuine need.”
W.A. Woodard presented the new public library to Cottage Grove in the dedication ceremony. H.E. Eakin, master of ceremonies, and Joseph E. Bricher, city councilman, are seated at the speaker’s right. Others in the photo are Mrs. Nellie Hamant, city librarian, and Mrs. Sam Mackin, chairman of the library board. Governor McKay is partially hidden by the gladioli in the foreground. (Right) Upon the death of W.A. in 1972, the name was changed to the W.A. Woodard Memorial Library and a photo placed on the wall.
The Cottage Grove Hospital
Walter A. Woodard was very strict with regard to the safety of his and others’ logging crews. As a young man, he lost four fingers of his left hand in a sawmill accident, and later suffered a leg injury. He knew firsthand the dangerous of the lumber industry, having seen the personal and economic effects accidents could have on companies and employees alike. With area timber operations well outside of the city limits of Cottage Grove, an injured worker’s trip to Eugene Hospital could be 60 miles or further. “Cottage Grove needs a new hospital” was W.A.’s mantra. Other mill operators agreed. Simultaneous to his commitment to realize a new library for Cottage Grove was W.A.’s goal to help the Business and Professional Women’s Club establish a modern medical facility in Cottage Grove. Beginning in 1947, with an initial gift of $25,000, W.A. helped launch the Club’s efforts and, by 1951, W.A. had contributed $70,000 and hours of his time, expertise and connections to ensure construction of the new 32-bed Cottage Grove Hospital.
Board of Directors, 1955, Cottage Grove Hospital: (L to R) Faye Stewart, Ruth Caldwell, Floyd Githens, Walter Woodard, H.E. “Cy” Eakin, Fred Morris, Hospital Administrator, Percy Malcolm, Wilbur Workman, and Herbert Lombard, Sr. In this picture taken in December 1955, Mr Githens is presenting Mr. Woodard with a check for $18,600, a grant from the Ford Motor Company to upgrade the hospital’s fire protection system.