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When you walk, drive or ride around Bend, you’ll notice unique names of streets and places. All of them named after predominant figures in Bend’s early history. Drake Park, for example, wasn’t named after a duck. The beautiful park, peacefully hugging Mirror Pond was named after Alexander M. Drake, a frontier developer. In fact, Mirror Pond isn’t a pond either. It’s a gently flowing river springing from the Cascade Mountains. You see, over 100 years ago pioneers took refuge and relaxed here. Once they spotted Pilot Butte on the horizon, incoming pioneers knew that they were approaching the twisting riverbanks of the Deschutes River, home to over 300 settlers. They lived in an area called Farewell Bend, which was the common saying when the pioneers sadly continued on with their journey. In November 1904 the residents voted to incorporate to a city. The town needed a name and what better name was there than its trademark. In January 1905, the citizens dropped the farewell part and nailed up the sign that said welcome to Bend, Oregon.
Soon after, the race was on between two railroad barons, James J. Hill and E.H. Harriman, laying tracks that’d later open the doors to logging commerce and tourism. The Brooks-Scanlon and the Shevlin-Hixon were the largest timber mills of their day, making Bend, Oregon a very prosperous place to live, work and play.
Since then the mills have shut down, but the lifestyle and the vibrant culture of a booming town remains. Today, the old Brooks-Scanlon mill is humming once again, not with sawmills but with the voices of people enjoying shopping, dining and entertainment. The historic Downtown area, full of art, fine dining and unique shops is bustling with year-round activities and events. Relax in Drake Park and listen to music for free while indulging yourself with offerings from Bend’s finest restaurants. The stars shine as bright in the sky as they do on the stage of Les Schwab Amphitheater, the Tower Theater, and Athletic Club of Bend. Everything keeping with tradition and culture of welcoming new people to a place called Bend, Oregon.
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