About Bend OR (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Bend is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. The name Bend was derived from "Farewell Bend," the designation used by early pioneers to refer to the location along the Deschutes River where the town eventually was platted, one of the few fordable points along the river. The population was 52,029 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, there are about 70,000 people, and still growing[citation needed]. It is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Bend is located on the edge of the Ponderosa pine forest on the west as it transitions into the high desert plateau, characterized by junipers, sagebrush, bitter-brush, and little water. Originally a logging town, Bend has become identified as a jump-off point for multiple outdoor sports; such as fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, and golf.
Until the winter of 1824, the Bend area was known only to Native Americans who hunted and fished there. In that year, members of a fur trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden visited the area. John C. Fremont, Dr. John Strong Newberry and other Army survey parties came next. Then pioneers heading farther west went through the area and forded the Deschutes River at Farewell Bend.
Actual settlement did not occur until the early 1900s with the founding of the Pilot Butte Development Company by Alexander M. Drake. A small community developed around the bend in the river and in 1904 a city was incorporated by a general vote of the community's 300 residents. On January 4, 1905 the city held its first official meeting as an incorporated municipality, appointing A. H. Goodwillie as the first mayor. Twelve years later, Deschutes County was formed from the western half of Crook County and Bend was designated as the county seat. In 1929, Bend amended the charter and adopted the manager/council form of government.
The settlement was originally known as Farewell Bend.
Bend, Oregon is home to David Stoliar who was the sole survivor of an attack on the Struma, a ship carrying Jewish refugees from the holocaust. Other notable locals include the poet and American philosopher Joel Wright.
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