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

Frank T. Johns Landmark

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, May 27, 2024

1. Frank T. Johns Landmark Marker

Inscription. A double tragedy occurred in the Deschutes River beside Drake Park on May 21, 1928. Frank T. Johns, a candidate for United States President, was on the campaign trail in Bend delivering a speech when he heard cries for help. Jack Rhodes, a local ten-year-old had lost his balance while baiting a fishing hook and fallen into the swift current. Johns removed his jacket and dived into the water and swam against the current to reach the boy, who had already slipped underwater. Johns was able to pull the boy to the surface, but couldn't get out of the current. Witnesses say both surfaced four or five times before disappearing completely.

Erected by Bend Cable Communications.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 44° 3.573′ N, 121° 19.101′ W. Marker is in Bend, Oregon, in Deschutes County. It is in Old Bend. It can be reached from Northwest Riverside Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 880 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend OR 97701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Frank T. Johns (here, next to this marker); Klondike Kate (within shouting distance of this marker); Horses and High Wheels (within shouting distance of this marker); Bend School Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Homesite (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clyde McKay Landmark (about 500 feet away); Founding of Bend (about 700 feet away); A.M. Drake Homesite (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bend.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Frank T. Johns (1889-1928).

In 1928, Johns was again nominated as the presidential candidate at the party's national convention in New York. He returned to Oregon, where he made
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, May 27, 2024

2. Frank T. Johns Landmark Marker
Bend the first stop on his national tour. On May 20, either directly before or immediately after an evening speech in Drake Park on the Deschutes River, Johns was interrupted by calls for help. Jack Rhodes, who was ten or eleven years old, had fallen off a nearby footbridge and into the freezing river. Johns removed his coat and dived into the water to save the boy. He reached Rhodes in the middle of the river and tried to push him toward shore, but was overpowered by the icy current. Both Johns and Rhodes drowned.

(Submitted on February 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, May 27, 2024

3. Frank T. Johns Landmark Marker

An older marker resides on the opposite side of this marker. The Deschutes River can be seen in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.