Then and Now, Historic Bend, Oregon
Bend, From Then to Now…
Planted nearly smack dab in the center of Oregon is the city of Bend and one of my favorite destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon and makes a perfect urban base camp for all the adventure and exploration that this region has to offer. Named one of “The 10 Best Places to Live Now” by Men’s Journal in 2015, Bend is located near to year around outdoor recreation, including skiing, golfing, white water rafting, rock climbing, hiking, camping, mountain biking and so much more!
Bend, in the Beginning
Bend Oregon was founded by Alexander Drake, a Midwest capitalist, in 1900 and incorporated in 1905. Drake and his wife Florence had traveled to what is now known as Bend in a covered wagon while on vacation. When Drake arrived, he saw Bend as a place of economic opportunity and soon began mapping the area. He established the city’s first neighborhoods and reputedly build the first saw mill. He founded the Pilot Butte Development Company and began construction of a lodge and began working on irrigation projects in Deschutes County.
Drake was an astute businessman. Besides building the areas first irrigation system and sawmill; He also built the Pilot Butte Inn and the areas first hydroelectric plant. Not caring much for the Central Oregon winter, Drake and his wife would often travel to California during the winter months to avoid the cold. Drake retired in 1911 and moved to Pasadena, California with his wife Florence where he lived until he passed away in 1934. Florence Drake passed the following year. Reportedly the Bend Bulletin said that “The future of the town held a prominent place in the thoughts of Mr. and Mrs. Drake”. As a result, the Drakes brought a myriad of “firsts” to the area and Bend’s population grew more than 10 times during its first 10 years.
The Iconic Pond
By 1910 Mirror Pond was established as a result of Drakes’ plans to develop a dam on the Deschutes River. The dam initially provided the city with hydroelectric power. Now owned by PacifiCorp, it still provides electricity to nearly 200 households in Bend. Today, the mile-long Mirror Pond, Drake Park, and Harmon Park are a common attraction for visitors and residents alike. Offering seemingly countless forms of recreation and hosting of local events.
With its beautiful glass like surface that is its namesake one can see why Mirror Pond is so popular. Mirror Pond and the surrounding parks are maintained by the Bend Parks and Recreation District. The district has plans for enhancements to the pond while focusing retaining its historic form. One such enhancement is connecting the area to the Deschutes River Trail which will certainly add to the areas mass appeal to the outdoor enthusiast.
The Towering Trio
Nearby, another iconic landmark is the historic smokestacks in what is now the Old Mill District of Bend. Historically Bend was a logging town and timber production was the main industry for the area. Surrounded by the expansive Oregon forests and Ponderosa pines, it made sense that sawmills would open along the Deschutes. The first big mill was opened in 1916 by the Shevlin-Hixon Co. and was soon after competition arrived. The Brooks-Scanlon Co. arrived and built a second large mill across the river from the Shevlin-Hixon mill called “Mill A”.
In 1922 Brooks-Scanlin opened up a larger mill further upstream from “Mill A”. This was the site of “Mill B” and is now the largest part of Bend’s historic Old Mill District. By this time, the two rivals were operating the largest sawmills in the world processing Ponderosa Pine. The mills ran non-stop and employed nearly 4000 workers. In the 1950s Shevlin-Hixon Co. sold its operation to Brooks-Scanlon. Brooks-Scanlon Co. continued to run the mills until closing in 1983. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that “Mill A” was restored to its former glory. Today you can see the powerhouse buildings and the three towering smokestacks from miles off as they silently beckon and remind us of Bend’s rich history.
Bend Today is Adventure
Today Bend is a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts, tech companies, and is an attractive destination to retire to. If you love to be outdoors, you will find that Bend and the surrounding area offers clean air, healthy living, and endless adventure. Nearby is world renowned skiing at Mt. Bachelor where US Olympic hopefuls train. Camping at any one of the dozens of campgrounds in the area. For the explorer, you’ll find miles of hiking trails, and horseback riding within minutes of Bend. If you like to mountain bike, you’ll find over 400 miles of open trail for all experience levels. Or perhaps rock climbing at the world-famous Smith Rock. Would you like to explore a lava tube and see where bats live? How about a moonlight snowshoe tour or canoe trip?
If you just want to stick close to the city, you will find no shortage of adventure or things to do in Bend. How about a tour of the Old Mill District and Mill Pond on an electric bike? Or why not take a brewery tour on the Bend Ale Trail? Did you know you can surf in Bend? No, Really. You can surf right in Bend! Are you into Curling, Ice Skating, or Hockey? Check out the Pavillion in Bend! If you like art, you can try the Roundabout Art Route or the Tin Pan Alley Art Collection. Or perhaps you want to catch a show at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and you feed the foodie in you. No matter who you are, you will find something that everyone will love in Bend!
About the Author:
Rich Conklin is a freelance writer and WordPress consultant for hire whose passion is travel writing and creating beautiful websites. He’s especially interested in all there is to see and do in the Pacific Northwest. He helps small businesses and people just like you develop a brand, a voice and a following. When he is not writing or designing WordPress sites, you can find him exploring the Pacific Northwest back roads and byways with his wife and dogs.
