Unusual Nicknames: Bend (Oregon) Lava Bears

A lava bear sounds like a mysterious creature of mythology, but they were said to be found in the lava beds of Oregon. It is believed that Bend High School adopted the Lava Bear as its mascot in 1924 after a live bear was captured in a forest trap and displayed in the town. That means the mascot is celebrating its centennial in 2024-25 even though it is now accepted that lava bears are actually American black bears. The nickname has endured and was named the top mascot in Class 5A by The Oregonian in 2013.