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1929 Map of Bend

Name: 1929 Topographic Map of Bend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

Bend serves as the focal point for this mid-1920s topographical study, a period where the high desert landscape was transitioning through large-scale irrigation and rail development. The Deschutes River and Crooked River carve deep canyons through the basalt, punctuated by dramatic falls such as Steelhead Falls and Big Falls. The influence of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is evident in the sprawling network of the Columbia Canal and the Tumalo Reservoir, which supported burgeoning agricultural outposts like Terrebonne and Opal City.

Beyond the central settlements, the map documents the rural infrastructure of central Oregon, including isolated desert schools like Lone Pine Sch and Lava Rock Sch. To the east, the volcanic legacy of the region is clear, with prominent landmarks such as Pilot Butte and Powell Butte Highway leading toward the arid Badlands. Significant transportation corridors are captured, from the Oregon Trunk railroad to the early Military Road, reflecting the region's role as a strategic crossroads for industry and movement.