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1926 Map of Bend

Name: 1926 Topographic Map of Bend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Bend serves as the primary hub of Central Oregon in this mid-1920s topography, showing a landscape defined by volcanic geology and the arrival of major irrigation and rail infrastructure. The Deschutes River and Crooked River slice deep canyons through the high desert, punctuated by numerous cataracts such as Steelhead Falls, Odin Falls, and Awbrey Falls. The engineering of the era is evident in the sprawling network of canals feeding into the Tumalo Reservoir and the presence of the Oregon Trunk Railway.

Smaller settlements and rural ranching interests like Gales Ranch, Opal City, and Alfalfa appear alongside a series of early educational outposts, including Gray Butte Sch and Richardson Sch. Prominent volcanic landmarks such as Pilot Butte and Powell Butte rise above the basin, while the Deschutes National Forest occupies the western heights. This survey captures the region just as timber interests and large-scale agriculture began to fundamentally reshape the local economy.