History of Redmond Oregon

Redmond is a city in Deschutes County in the central Oregon region of the United States, near the Deschutes River. It is located in front of the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range, on the western side of the Great Basin, approximately 16 miles (26 km) north-northeast of Bend, in the Central Oregon region. The city has a land area of 15.5 square miles (40 km2) and is located on a plateau at a height of 3,077 feet above sea level. Redmond is located 15 miles north of Bend, the county seat of Deschutes County, 144 miles south of Portland, 129 miles south of Salem, the state capital of Oregon, and 126 miles south of Eugene, the state’s largest city. Founders Frank and Josephine Redmond built their home near an irrigation canal right-of-way in 1904, and the town of Redmond was officially established in 1906. Following the arrival of the railroad in 1911, the city grew in importance as a service and shipping center for cattle and lumber products.

Redmond was named after Frank T. Redmond, a pioneer who arrived in the area in 1905 and established a farm there. A firm that would later become part of the Central Oregon Irrigation District laid out the town in 1906 in preparation for the construction of a canal. In 1911, electrification and the Oregon Trunk Railway were completed to Redmond. Farmers and merchants were able to sell their products because of the train link. By 1930, the population had increased to 1,000, and by 1940, it had more than doubled. In the 1940s, Redmond served as a United States Army Air Base, and Roberts Field was the site of the first commercial airline operations after World War II.

A modest commercial/retail center and a manufacturing business supported the town’s population throughout the 1950s and most of the 1980s, which grew slowly around them. However, during the 1990s, the population of the town, as well as the rest of Deschutes County, began to expand. Between 2000 and 2006, Redmond’s population increased by 74.3 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Oregon on an annual basis. This increase in population continued through 2006, bringing the total population to 23,500 people. Its expansion is spurred by increased employment opportunities and a lower cost of living.

With a diverse economy that includes tourism and manufacturing, particularly in the construction and aviation, and aerospace industries, it is well-positioned to compete globally. Located near Redmond is Roberts Field, which was once known as the Redmond Army Air Base during World War II and is today a commercial airport that serves three counties in central Oregon. The population of the city has increased significantly since the 1990s.

And while you’re doing research on the history of Redmond Oregon, if you’re ever in need of a Redmond roofing company, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment or give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you!