Bend in Deschutes County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

"Klondike Kate" House

Built: Circa 1917

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020

1. "Klondike Kate" House Marker

Inscription. "Klondike Kate" (Kitty Rockwell) was also known as the "Queen of the Yukon" during the Klondike Gold Rush and came to Bend in 1914. She made a small fortune in the Yukon as the region's leading singer and dancer but fell in love with Alex Pantages, a waiter who used her money to open several theaters in the United States, some of which still bear his name. After Pantages abandoned her, Kate moved to Bend and became one of its most celebrated and colorful characters. Her home, across from the nearby St. Charles Hospital, was a refuge for sick and elderly citizens. She died in 1957 and her ashes were scattered on the high desert east of Bend where she had earlier homesteaded.

Erected by Deschutes Historical Museum. (Marker Number C13.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Bend Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 44° 3.36′ N, 121° 18.638′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. It is on Northwest Franklin

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Avenue near Northwest Sisemore Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Northwest Franklin Avenue, Bend OR 97703, 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: Home of Kathleen "Klondike Kate" Rockwell (a few steps from this marker); Bend Fire Station (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Bend Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bend Hardware Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Aune's Livery and Transfer (approx. 0.2 miles away); O'Kane Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Downing Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Wright Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bend.

Additional keywords. Colorful Characters

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2020

2. "Klondike Kate" House Marker

"Klondike Kate," Queen of the Klondike image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. "Klondike Kate," Queen of the Klondike

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.