Redmond was named for Frank T. Redmond, who settled near the present site of the town in 1905. Redmond was the first settler in the area to acquire land available under the federal Carey Act of 1894. The city was incorporated on July 6, 1910.
Despite its phenomenal growth, present-day Redmond has preserved its hometown friendliness and "American as apple pie" character. Seeing hundreds of American flags lining the city's major thoroughfares on holidays and for special observances gives one the sense that Redmond is truly an all-American community.
Redmond is at the heart of the recreational mecca that is Central Oregon. Residents of Redmond, like all Central Oregonians, enjoy telling visitors to the region how they can hit the ski slopes in the morning and play a round of golf the same afternoon. To learn about the amazing variety of recreational opportunities available in the area, check out our "Sports and Recreation" Section.
One of the reasons that Redmond is growing at a faster rate than other Central Oregon communities is its weather. Redmond receives, on average, 8.6 inches of precipitation annually. While some of this falls in the form of snow, it seldom accumulates or stays around for long. Because Redmond is at an elevation several hundred feet lower than Bend, its streets are usually snow free while the folks in Bend and in communities at even higher elevations farther south are still "digging out."
Redmond is home to Roberts Field (Redmond Municipal Airport), the fourth largest commercial service airport in Oregon. Roberts field (RDM) serves all of Central Oregon. The airport is also home to the vital USDA Forest Service Redmond Air Center. Click the Roberts Field link above or visit our "Transportation" Section for more information.
The Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, located adjacent to the airport, hosts dozens of events each year in addition to the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo in early August. Click the link above or visit our "Special Events" Section for detailed information about the Expo Center's splendid indoor and outdoor facilities and a current schedule of events.
To accommodate its burgeoning population, the City of Redmond has recently completed several important roadway and infrastructure projects. The Maple Street Bridge shown at the top of this page is one such project. Other major projects are either recently completed, under construction, or in the planning stage. The most significant of these is the Highway 97 bypass of the city along its eastern periphery. The bypass, completed in June of 2008, will enable future projects to proceed under a "master plan" that includes redevelopment and beautification of the downtown area.
