History of Bend
Originally, the Bend is a river crossing point that began to settle in the early 1900’s. But in 1905, the Bend got official status with a population of 500 people that was increased rapidly. The McKenzie Highway was completed in 1925 and in 1962 it became a seasonal scenic high. The first commercial radio was broadcast in Central Oregon (KBND) in 1938, and during that time Bend changed from the council form of government to city commission and George P. Goff was the first mayor of the Bend under a new form of government. In 2001 the City of Bend obtained the approval of the first National Register Historic District. In 2015, the Men’s Journal named the City of Bend one of the 10 best places to live.