Bend in Deschutes County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Downing Hotel
Built: 1919-20
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020
1. Downing Hotel Marker
William P. Downing arrived in Bend in 1902, traveling from Bemidji, Minnesota. He got the idea of selling lunches to millworkers, and parlayed the operation into a restaurant on Bond Street. Following the American dream of expansion, he set his sites on opening a hotel. Construction began in 1919, but building costs were higher than expected and the job was not completed until 1920
Erected by Deschutes Historical Museum. (Marker Number B14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Bend Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 44° 3.571′ N, 121° 18.716′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. It is on Northwest Bond Street near Northwest Greenwood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1033 Northwest Bond Street, Bend OR 97701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s High Desert. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cozy Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierson Blacksmith Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); O'Kane Building (about 300 feet away); Wright Hotel (about 300 feet away); First Bend Church
this page online
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020
2. Downing Hotel and Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020
3. Downing Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,871 times since then and 436 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
