Bellevue History Timeline
1950 to 1959

1950
The census showed a population of 8,000 in greater Bellevue.

1953
Bellevue incorporated as a 3rd class city with a population of 5,940. City Hall was located in the VFW Hall, formerly Main Street School. Charles Wesley Bovee was elected first mayor.

Clyde Hill incorporated as a 4th class town.

1954
The City of Bellevue approved a comprehensive zoning and street plan.

1954
Beaux Arts incorporated as a 4th class town.

1955
Medina incorporated as a 3rd class city.

Hunts Point incorporated as a 4th class town.

1956
Bellevue was declared an All American City by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine.

Frederick and Nelson opened a branch store in Bellevue Square.

Puget Power moved to new four story headquarters

1958
Safeway built a distribution center in Midlakes, becoming Bellevue's first big industry.

Fourteen persons met on December 13 at the Charles Bovee home to organize a Washington State Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. It was installed on September 24, 1960.

1959
Yarrow Point became a 4th class town.

Bellevue's second high school, Sammamish, opened.

First traffic light installed at Main and Bellevue Way.