Heritage

Mt. Bachelor – Over 60 Years in the Making

Bill Healy brought Central Oregon ski dreams to life. Healy’s vision was realized as a Bachelor Butte, renamed Mt. Bachelor, opened December 19, 1958, with one Poma lift and two rope tows for weekends and holidays only.

Skip Frank’s Legacy Cabin

Perched high on a steep canyon rim overlooking the Deschutes River sits a home affectionately known as “The Cabin.” At the end of its winding driveway, past a stable-turned-bunkroom and […]

On the set of The Way West starring Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Richard Widmark, Sally Field, Lola Albright and Jack Elam, 1967.

Bend on the Big Screen — Old Movies Filmed in Central Oregon

Dozens of films have been made in Central Oregon over the years, from Westerns to comedies

The Rise and Fall of the Bend Water Pageant

On July 4, 1933, the first Bend Water Pageant took place. Weeks before the event, the town was...

Kurt Russell’s Short-Lived Term on the Bend Rainbows Minor League Baseball Team

For one glorious summer fifty years ago, the computer who wore tennis shoes played second base for Bend’s...

Nearly 100 years later, Bend’s Delaware Grocery lives on as Jackson’s Corner

One spot in West Bend has remained true to its origins in many ways, reminding us life might...

The Legacy of Bend’s Skyliners Ski Club Lives On

Two dollars was all it took to create one of the most enduring legacies in Bend’s ski history.

The Other Quarantine: A Bend Family’s Fight to Overcome Polio

Like coronavirus, the first major outbreak of polio in the U.S. struck in New York, in 1916. The...

The stories behind the Deschutes National Forest’s historic guard stations

Today, the Deschutes National Forest’s natural landscape is known for awesome beauty and plenty of recreational opportunity.

Deschutes Public Library celebrates 100 years

In 1904, a handful of citizens who lived in the not-quite-yet-incorporated community of Bend were craving greater access...

The Bend Company Mill built by Drake’s development company

Bend’s Founder Left an Indelible Mark During His Stay

Drake arrived in Bend more than 100 years ago, but his fingerprints are all over this town, even...

Bend’s Stand for Community Journalism

How a handful of citizens saved the High Desert from becoming another American news desert.

Keep on Motoring: Historical Guidebook and Exhibit

In the throes of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt had a message to all Americans: Take a road...

Passion Fruit: Apples Rooted in the History of Bend

A ongoing quest to find and ferment apples rooted in the history of Bend.

A Century of Sailing at the Elk Lake Yacht Club

Elk Lake Sailing Club is gone, but its legacy endures on the eve of a 100-year anniversary.

Historic Tower theater and shops on Wall Street in Downtown Bend Oregon.

A Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Bend

Find historical tidbits, architectural legacies and even a ghost.

How Bend Was Built Brick by Brick

The fire-proofed O’Kane building still sits at the corner of Oregon and Bond streets.

Historic Nels Anderson Dairy in Bend, Oregon

The Historic Home of Lilly Dairy is Slated for Demolition

The historic home is all that remains of Bend's flagship dairy.

Eric Ballinger Suitcase Heritage in Bend, Oregon

A Storied Suitcase Finds Its Way Home

The suitcase represents a dark chapter in Oregon history.

Vince Genna Was a Diamond in the Rough

How baseball and a bold Italian launched Bend’s nationally acclaimed parks district.

Historical icon Paul Hosmer beside his tent in Bend, Oregon

Paul Hosmer, The Bard of Bend

The life and times of the storyteller, naturalist and namesake of Hosmer Lake.

Sister Catherine Hellman St. Charles hospital IN Bend, Oregon

Sister Catherine Hellmann Made St. Charles What It Is Today

She had the vision for what the medical center could be.

The Short History of Pilot Butte Inn

The storied life and demise of Bend's iconic chalet.

The Coldest Cold Case

It is three o’clock in the morning and the burgeoning mill town of Bend is asleep. Suddenly, an...

Man with a dog digging in a Central Oregon potato field.

History of the Redmond Potato Show

The potato has a long history in Central Oregon, and some local festivals such as the Deschutes County...

Crooked River Inn bed and breakfast in Prineville, Oregon.

Prineville’s Crooked River Inn: History Almost as Old as the Town

Inside the newly-restored Crooked River Inn, a bed & breakfast in the heart of Prineville.

A Century of Gathering

Located amid the bustle of downtown Bend, Troy Field offers a glimpse into the history of Bend and...

Back to the Future: A Walking Tour of Redmond’s Past

Bookend Redmond’s walking history tour with a taste of the present.

Explore the History of Sunriver

What is now an outdoor recreation basecamp was once a training camp for soldiers during World War II.

Arts, Storytelling and History Around Central Oregon

There are endless opportunities to enjoy art, live music and presentations to broaden your horizons.

Redmond Works to Preserve its History Brick by Brick

Redmond discovers that leveraging the best of the last century may be the cornerstone of the next hundred...

Bend’s Original Ski Bums

Central Oregon has a long history of Nordic and alpine skiing, but none is older or more influential...

The History of the Bend Pet Parade

The event draws thousands of onlookers and furry friends each year.