History of Bellevue

In 1866 from a newspaper of that day; "The beautiful property lying just above Taylor Creek bridge, which has been advertised for some days past, has been laid off into town lots by our enterprising fellow citizen Mr. A S Berry.  He had named it Bellevue in honor of the old Taylor estate, from which it formed an original part.  Lots will be sold at public auction tomorrow.  We predict that a beautiful town will soon spring up, as the property is only eight squares from the ferry and most handsome situated."

Albert S Berry was a four term congressman from Campbell County and a great grandson of General James Taylor.  Berry used his connection only to name the city and Taylor Avenue, but other streets as well.  Foote, O'Fallon, Van Voast and Ward were named after Taylor's sons-in-law and Berry Avenue was named for the congressman.

Bellevue was incorporated on March 14, 1870 with 380 residents.  The first trustees met in homes and in a barn, later moving to Genoway's Hall on Berry Avenue, then to Blinn's Hall.  The trustees spent $20 at the first meeting for a city map, a charter, an assessor's book and a table.  The book was put to use quickly; the trustees approved a tax of 25 cents per $100 assessed property value.

Bellevue's first phone came in 1884.  For 5 cents a call, G E Platz took calls at his drugstore, now 163 Fairfield Ave.  Streetcars were running in the 1900s.  In 1912 voters approved a bond issue for a sewage system which resulted in the loss of one of city's bathing beaches by 1920.

By the 1920s Bellevue became a baseball Mecca.  Semi-pro and amateur teams played at the old ball park which had a 2500 seat grandstand.  It was torn down in 1929.  The Horseshoe Gardens, a nightclub located at the foot of Ward Avenue was destroyed in the 1937 flood.  Bellevue celebrated its centennial in 1970 with a population of 9800.

Tourist Attractions in Bellevue

Bellevue Art Museum
The Bellevue Art Museum features changing exhibits. Check ahead to find out what is on show at the museum. In addition to the exhibits the Bellevue Art Museum also offers programs, lectures and workshops.

Redmond - Eastside Heritage Center (formerly Marymoor Museum)
In 2001 the Bellevue Historical Society, and the Marymoor Museum of Eastside History merged to form the newly created Eastside Heritage Center. The Eastside Heritage Center has two locations, the historic McDowell House and Winters House, both of which are in Bellevue.