November 1, 2023
When I arrived in Bend, OR, it was not by chance. I was specifically looking to check out the Old St. Francis School, one of the many historic properties the McMenamin brothers have transformed. Established in 1936 as the area’s first parochial school, it served as such for sixty-four years before classes were moved to a new location. The McMenamin brothers then renovated it and opened it in 2004 as a lodging establishment, complete with pub, brewery, music, movie theatre, and soaking pool.
The artwork, like that at other McMenamins locations, highlights interesting characters in the history of St. Francis School and Bend. Paintings grace the walls throughout the building, each offering eclectic and sometimes whimsical glimpses into the past. The focus on art and history is one of the things I love most about staying at their properties, and the ones at the Old St. Francis School rank among the best. Kids reading in a “Yellow Submarine” bathtub? Young ladies floating down the river on giant swans? Yes, these unique paintings refer to actual events, indicating the careful research done before commissioning artwork.
I dropped my overnight bag off in my assigned room—Room 1, conveniently close to the office—and decided to explore. The dangerous knowledge that two bookstores were within walking distance set me on a path of questionable financial wisdom. Between Dudley’s Book Café and Pegasus Books, I did a little damage to my wallet but still maintained relative self-control. I took my time browsing other storefronts along local streets and then returned to the hotel, where I settled into a cozy booth in the Fireside Bar with a soda and nearby warmth of a fire. Later on, I’d find a meal in the Old St. Francis Pub, a fantastic Jamaican rice bowl with tofu, coconut curry, squash, beans, avocado, carrots, onions, and mango chutney. I would remember this as my favorite meal on the trip.
Feeling the day catching up to me, I retired to my room to enjoy the soothing ambiance of rich burgundy colors, wood paneling, and unique décor such as a painted acorn-shaped headboard above the super comfortable bed. A writing desk served perfectly for jotting down notes from the day.
I took my time before checking out the next morning, leisurely sipping coffee and wandering the halls to enjoy more artwork. Eventually, I did tear myself away to hit the road, stopping only once for a peek at a Bend landmark: the last existing Blockbuster video store. From there, I settled into my car and headed north.
