A P R I L/MAY 2 0 21 |TR AI LHEAD
SPRING IN THE OLD MILL Bend’s Old Mill District is steeped in history; the mill that the district was built around is the original lumber mill that helped create the town as we know it today, situated on the Deschutes River to help transport logs with the currents. Now, the mill stands as a symbol of progress and evolving industry, as the modern district has shed its lumber past and is now known for its art, shopping, dining and adventure.
Arist: Yuya Negishi, Photo courtesy Old Mill District District
art
The Old Mill District is home to 20 public art installations, including many murals that add a splash of color to the surfaces they inhabit. Keep an eye out for the vibrant pieces from artist Yuya Negishi, including the staircase flower mural behind Ben & Jerry’s and The Dragon, along the Deschutes River behind Gap. Take the river walk to see more art along the walls in each tunnel. Look for the South Tunnel murals under Columbia Street, a collaborative project between Arts Central, a team of Nike designers from Portland and the Old Mill District. Use the Old Mill District as a starting point for exploring all the murals of the region through the Central Oregon Mural Trail. Learn more at visitcentraloregon.com/mural-trail.
shopping
Everyone will find something they love in the Old Mill. Kids and parents will love Wild Child, a new toy store that opened over the winter, offering high quality and sustainable toys, clothes, books and games. All products are catered to children from infancy to the age of 12. Hello Sunshine is the quintessential Bend boutique. This shop is home to clothes, accessories, home décor and more, all made with a touch of Pacific Northwest style. The Ticket Mill is the perfect spot for Bend souvenirs like hoodies, hats, mugs and more. This stop also includes Old Mill specific gifts, like gift cards to any store in the district and tickets to the Les Schwab Amphitheater for concerts and shows, tentatively expected to return later in the summer and fall.
