Explore the journey from Farewell Bend to Grateful Bend. Discover the history of Oregon’s timber mills, stories from the road, and the music that moves us.
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.
