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

Kirtsis Swim Tank

Built: 1927

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2020

1. Kirtsis Swim Tank Marker

Inscription. Purportedly the largest outdoor swimming tank in the state in the 1920s was located in Bend on the banks of the Deschutes River, just downstream from Pioneer Park. The 50 x 150 foot steel tank held 330,000 gallons of water. The water came directly from the Deschutes River, was heated by a burner that utilized sawdust from Bend sawmills, and then returned to the river. The swimming tank was part of the Bend Auto Court complex built in 1927 by the three Kirtsis brothers, immigrants from Greece who had earlier homesteaded east of Bend. The tank was open to the public, in addition to Auto Court guests, and the daily entrance fee was 10 cents.

Erected by Deschutes Historical Museum. (Marker Number C9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Bend Heritage Walk series list.

Location. 44° 4.006′ N, 121° 18.744′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. It can be reached from Northwest Linster Place near Northwest Harriman Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post

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office area: 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: Pioneer Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Colonial Inn (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bend Dam and Powerhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bend Veterans Peace Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pilot Butte Inn Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Deschutes County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Pilot Butte Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eddie's Sales & Service (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bend.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the Deschutes River riverside walk, near Bend Riverside Inn and Suites.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2020

2. Kirtsis Swim Tank Marker

Kirtsis Swim Tank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. Kirtsis Swim Tank

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 854 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.