Savage in Bend: The History of DRW

DRW Advertisement courtesy of Historic Oregon Newspapers. Originally published in The Bend Bulletin on April 7, 1962. Credit: Historic Oregon Newspapers

This month, Ben G. asks, “My family recently moved to Deschutes River Woods. I’ve heard lots of stories but was hoping to get a more detailed history. Can you help?”

Absolutely!

This question hits home, literally, because my family lives in DRW. Technically, we are on the outskirts of Bend but have a Bend address. Anyone who spends a little time here will agree that the area has its own personality. I’d heard plenty of stories about the neighborhood myself, some good, others not so much. This question got me digging.

The first documented subdivision plat I found for Deschutes River Woods was recorded March 22, 1962. A couple of weeks later, The Bend Bulletin ran an advertisement for the new development. It proclaimed, “NEVER BEFORE OFFERED FOR SALE land in this fabulous working ranch!” Anyone could own a full acre of land for only $10 down and $10 a month, with a total price of $995! Potential buyers were encouraged to “reserve your acre now!” Don’t you wish you could have bought a lot (or a few) back then?

Of course, the history of the area goes back much further. Before houses there were ranches, logging operations, irrigation canals and transportation routes like the historic Bend-Silver Lake road. The Great Northern Railway came through the area in the early 1930s as the railroad was extended south from Bend. It cut through the lava beds between Lava Butte and the Deschutes River, creating another important transportation link through a mostly undeveloped landscape. Research from an old issue of “The Homesteader,” the Deschutes Historical Society Newsletter, suggests construction of the railroad may have disrupted the underground water source that fed nearby Wetweather Springs (which could be the subject of an entirely different article).

Those who currently live in DRW are familiar with the name Baker. Baker Road, Baker Pond – these likely were named after George Baker, who owned a large ranch in the area. Very involved in the community, he also served as county commissioner at one point. His pond, now on private property, spanned 7 acres and served as a local recreation spot where kids skated in the winter and swam in the summer. It’s said that Baker enjoyed locals making use of the pond and even provided wood to start warming fires in cold winters, at least until some people took advantage and threw the wood onto the ice, thus spoiling the fun.

Maybe this is why Baker decided to sell the ranch? I didn’t find the name of the buyer, but sources list him as a California man. His purchase of the land was part of the early wave of Central Oregon’s transformation from timber and ranch country into a recreation and residential economy.

Over the years, DRW developed as a place where Bend’s working class could purchase relatively large parcels. No HOAs or design requirements, and residents built homes according to their own tastes and designs, which helps explain the diverse collection of houses we still see today.

Unfortunately, that freedom came with a reputation. For years, DRW was considered a seedy neighborhood by many people. Bend Magazine described the area along the railroad and Highway 97 as historically attracting a “rough crowd” and notes that the community had lots of run-down properties. I’ve heard plenty of secondhand stories myself from neighbors who have lived here a while. Most say the reputation was always worse than the reality.

DRW wasn’t built as an elegant subdivision and never tried to be one. Newer stick-built homes sit next to manufactured homes along with well-built log cabins and unfinished projects which sometimes never get completed. To someone accustomed to Bend’s more manicured and often overregulated neighborhoods, that could easily look a little rough, am I right?

I run and bike through DRW often, and it’s most definitely the most eclectic neighborhood I’ve ever lived in. Many of us have productive gardens, large workshops and food stands with fresh veggies, sourdough bread, eggs and other delectable items. Local residents seem to know how to fix just about anything. Neighbors keep chickens, horses, goats, alpacas and bees. In fact, I can hear my neighbor’s rooster as I write this!

Personally, I enjoy a large lot without an HOA telling me what I can and can’t do on it. I like the do-it-yourself attitude and the fact that DRW feels different. Bend continues to grow around DRW, but DRW hasn’t completely changed with Bend. I often joke that if we ever have a zombie apocalypse, DRW will be just fine. Between the gardens, livestock, handy neighbors and the roosters, I think we’ve got a pretty good shot.

Want to know about other Bend neighborhoods or other local history? Send questions my way: savageglobetrotters@gmail.com