Dive into the history of Bend, Oregon between 1905 and 1910. As the Brooks-Scanlon and Shevlin-Hixon mills transformed the landscape, Bend evolved from a pioneer outpost into a thriving timber town. Explore the population surge, the arrival of the railroad, and the gritty reality of mill life during this high-momentum chapter of our heritage. Learn how the spirit of the Deschutes River shaped the backbone of Central Oregon.

Bend, Oregon didn’t begin as the vibrant mountain town it is today. In the early 1900s, it was still known as Farewell Bend—a quiet stop along the Deschutes River where travelers paused before moving on. That changed in 1904–1905, when the arrival of major lumber companies transformed Bend into a working mill town. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Bend’s economic growth, population expansion, and lasting identity.

Before it was breweries, trailheads, and paddleboards, Bend had a different name. Not polished. Not marketable. Not designed for stickers or hoodies. Farewell Bend. In the mid-1800s, travelers moving through Central Oregon followed the Deschutes River, one of the few reliable guides through an otherwise dry and unforgiving landscape.