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

A.M. Drake Homesite

Built 1901

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2020

1. A.M. Drake Homesite Marker

Inscription. A.M. Drake and his wife Florence set camp at the bank of the Deschutes River in June 1900 enticed by the 1894 Federal Carey Act, which encouraged private enterprise to reclaim and develop desert land by building irrigation systems and infrastructure in desolate area.
Drake ordered the construction of a hunting style log lodge and decorated it with exotic Oriental rugs and Chinese lanterns. The lodge was torn down in 1956. A 1966 editorial in The Bend Bulletin lamented the loss: "If the Drake lodge had been preserved, what a landmark it would be in the Bend of the present."

Erected by Deschutes Historical Museum. (Marker Number A2 & B2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Bend Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1900.

Location. 44° 3.563′ N, 121° 18.915′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. Marker can be reached from Northwest Brooks Street near Northwest Franklin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Northwest Brooks Street, Bend OR 97701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Drake Ponderosa Pines (a few steps from this marker); Goodwillie-Allen-Rademacher House (a few steps

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from this marker); Founding of Bend (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tower Theatre (about 300 feet away); O'Donnell Building (about 300 feet away); Buchwalter's (about 300 feet away); N.P Smith Pioneer Hardware (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bend.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Drake Park, near Mirror Pond Plaza.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2020

2. A.M. Drake Homesite Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.