Bellevue History Timeline
1920 to 1929

1920
The census showed a population of 2500 in the Bellevue area.

In January, three elm trees were planted by the Bellevue Minute Women in front of the grade school. This was in memory of the three Bellevue men who lost their lives in World War I: Victor Freed, Victor Hanson, and Oscar Johnson (the elm trees are still standing, but the area is now part of the Downtown Park).

1921
The Bellevue Women's Club was organized.

1925
The Bellevue Women's Club started the first public library with 300 books donated by the Seattle Public Library. It was located in Parrish's Cafe on Main Street and 100th NE.

The first Strawberry Festival was held behind the Main Street School. It grew to be a 3-day festival attracting thousands of people every year until 1942.

1926
Sacred Heart Church was built at 108th Avenue NE and Main Street. Organized around the turn of the century, services had previously been held at Patrick Downey's home.

On Armistice Day, a stone monument was dedicated, and served as a flagpole base, in memory of the three Bellevue men who died in the war. It was located in front of the grade school with the three elm trees that were planted in 1920. Today the school and flagpole are gone, but both the memorial tablet and elms trees remain in the downtown park. "1914-1918 Lest We Forget" was written on the memorial along with the three men's names.

1928
Bellevue Way (then Lincoln Avenue) was paved from Main to NE 8th and opened as a county arterial. This caused a shift in the location of the commercial area from Main Street to the north.

1929
The first issue of the Bellevue American was published. It later became the Journal American.