Turning blight into beauty, the Old Mill District transforms Bend | Local&State

Robert Hundley

Walking along the Deschutes River by the Old Mill District, it’s hard to imagine anything else but the area’s clean riparian wildlife, restaurants and recreation activities.

It wasn’t always that way. For 79 years, it was a gritty, barren area that was home to an active, working saw mill.







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The iconic smokestacks in the Old Mill District in Bend on Dec. 29, 2022. 









Bill Smith

Bill Smith puts his hands around the Old Mill District, on a map in his offices in Bend in 2008.










Design of new buildings at the Old Mill District

The Old Mill District plans to build three new buildings, including apartments for long and short term rentals. Construction will begin this year and should be completed by 2024. 



Not just a timber town







Deschutes River choked with timber

The Deschutes River was choked with timber until 1993 when the lumber mills shuttered forever.









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Pedestrians use the footbridge across the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District in Bend on Dec. 31, 2022.









Concerts (copy)

Concertgoers sit in the late afternoon sunshine on June 24, 2022 at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater during the Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak concert. The Bend venue has been able to attract bigger name acts after upgrading the amphitheater and partnering with Live Nation Entertainment. 



Going in different directions







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The hot ponds in the Old Mill District in Bend. 









Shoppers (copy)

A group of shoppers walk through the Old Mill District on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.



Bend today







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The center of the Old Mill District in Bend.



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