Beginnings in Bend
(This CJ has been re-booted! Check out the new-and improved introduction after you're done reading here!)
As discussed in the introduction, Deschutes Republic began as a farming community in the Pacific Northwest. River's Bend, located inland from the Strait of Georgia, became the first town to rise among the farms. The town served as the region's primary trading post, sending agricultural products all over the Pacific Northwest.
A typical farm, surrounded by the great Cascades.
Upon gaining its Independence in 1846, River's Bend became the capital of Deschutes Republic ("Deschutes" meaning "the waterfalls" in French.) The town grew for several years until in the early 1900s larger shipping capacities were needed. From here on out, River's Bend (often called simply "Bend") would send its products via rail to the newly founded Deschutes City, located along the Strait of Georgia. With Deschutes City serving as the capital of the Republic, River's Bend lost much of its importance.
Bend's old train station, now serving modern trains with a connection to the regional monorail.
Bend continued to thrive as a small city of about 70,000 residents for most of the 20th century, holding on to its old role as a shipping hub. It was a significant town, but dearly held onto its status as a quite place. As the rest of the region would begin to grow with great speed, Bend was the holdout.
Quiet Bend.
In 1994, it was decided that Deschutes City could no longer serve as the Republic's capital with its meager facilities. The seat of government would return to Bend. A massive development on the river's western shore was planned, centered around the new House of Government. In the process transition the little city of Bend into a massive metropolis.
The new House of Government.
The plan called for Bend's population to increase by 300,000 over the next decade, and reach 600,00 by 2015.
Bend: Ready for growth?
Thanks for reading, and more to come soon!
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