About BHS . . . In The Day (In Progress . . .
BELLEVUE SCHOOLS
TIMELINE
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property from the Kinnear Estate after the Army released control. The VFW planned extensive improvements to provide recreation for all veterans.
1943 John A. Kinnear, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Kinnear, a successful business man in Seattle, gave $500.00 to the Overlake Living War Memorial Fund. School Enrollment – 1030
1944 Drayton E. Marsh becomes school superintendent School Enrollment – 955
1945 The board of directors of the Overlake School District voted on June 11 to give a quick claim deed to the heirs of the John R. Kinnear and Rebecca Kinnear estate for the return of the Main Street School property, because it was no longer used for public school purposes. A new 58-passenger bus was added to the fleet of three buses owned by the Overlake School District #405. Overlake Transit Service provided transportation too. Mr. Odle drove from Factoria to Pleasure Point Route.
On July 12, the Enatai Community Club purchased the former Beaux Arts School property for $500.00.
The Wilburton Community Club purchased the former Wilburton School property for $100.00. The Clubs were the only bidders.
School enrollment – 1024
1946 500 new homes built in Overlake area since 1940 January 1946, the school board decides to seek a new site for a new high school. August 2, 1946, Overlake School District paid $37,500 for 49 acres on Raine hill (known as Bellevue Park in 1946) of uncleared land consisting of second growth and brush, for the site of the new high school. The owner wanted $40,000. The board offered $36,000. They compromised on $37,500.
Architect, George W. Stoddard, is hired to design the new school building. School enrollment – 1175
1947 Roy T. Thordarson became school superintendent School enrollment – 1351
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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1948
**April 11, 1947** – Groundbreaking ceremony for the War Memorial Athletic Field, dedicated to the “youth of the community who served in defense of the country in WWII and those who are to become its citizens in the future.”
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property from the Kinnear Estate after the Army released control. The VFW planned extensive improvements to provide recreation for all veterans.
1943 John A. Kinnear, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Kinnear, a successful business man in Seattle, gave $500.00 to the Overlake Living War Memorial Fund. School Enrollment – 1030
1944 Drayton E. Marsh becomes school superintendent School Enrollment – 955
1945 The board of directors of the Overlake School District voted on June 11 to give a quick claim deed to the heirs of the John R. Kinnear and Rebecca Kinnear estate for the return of the Main Street School property, because it was no longer used for public school purposes. A new 58-passenger bus was added to the fleet of three buses owned by the Overlake School District #405. Overlake Transit Service provided transportation too. Mr. Odle drove from Factoria to Pleasure Point Route.
On July 12, the Enatai Community Club purchased the former Beaux Arts School property for $500.00.
The Wilburton Community Club purchased the former Wilburton School property for $100.00. The Clubs were the only bidders.
School enrollment – 1024
1946 500 new homes built in Overlake area since 1940 January 1946, the school board decides to seek a new site for a new high school. August 2, 1946, Overlake School District paid $37,500 for 49 acres on Raine hill (known as Bellevue Park in 1946) of uncleared land consisting of second growth and brush, for the site of the new high school. The owner wanted $40,000. The board offered $36,000. They compromised on $37,500.
Architect, George W. Stoddard, is hired to design the new school building. School enrollment – 1175
1947 Roy T. Thordarson became school superintendent School enrollment – 1351
Bellevue Schools Timeline
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1948
**April 11, 1947** – Groundbreaking ceremony for the War Memorial Athletic Field, dedicated to the “youth of the community who served in defense of the country in WWII and those who are to become its
**1948** – War Memorial Stadium was given to the Overlake School District #405 by the Living War Memorial Committee.
**School enrollment – 1426**
**1949** – The Overlake Senior High dedication ceremony officially opened the new School at 10416 S.E. Kilmarnock. The students moved in January 1949. The tolls on the Mercer Island Bridge (Lacey V. Murrow Bridge) were removed, marking the beginning of the suburban population explosion and creating a need for more schools.
**School enrollment – 1620**
**1950** – **KOREAN WAR**
**School enrollment – 1910**
The Bellevue Memorial Athletic Field was dedicated on September 15. A plaque was placed there that says: “TO: THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE OVERLAKE AREA, LIVING AND DEAD, WHO FAITHFULLY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AT HOME AND ABROAD DURING WORLD WAR II. FROM: THE CITIZENS OF THE BELLEVUE OVERLAKE AREA.”
The Overlake School District becomes the Bellevue School District #405. It receives the status of a first-class school district.
Bellevue High School sells football game season tickets for the first time (1000 tickets). The cost - $3.50.
Due to Bellevue’s rapid change from a rural to a residential area, the agricultural department and the FFA close at Bellevue High. The Bellevue Chapter of FFA won many awards and brought a good deal of recognition to the school and community.
The Bay School (Hunts Point) (Bay-Medina) burned down.
**1951** – The first step in community planning was in the area represented by “The Bellevue Story,” a long-range plan for the Bellevue Schools. It was developed by local citizens, the school staff, and the King County Planning Department and Commission. The district population at the time was approximately 8,950. The plan initiated an advanced school site acquisition program throughout the district. It was revived in 1958 and again in 1962.
**1952** – Clyde Hill Elementary opened.
The first serious school bus accident in the Bellevue School District occurred when a young boy was badly bruised after being hit by a car that passed a bus while it was stopped. It happened on US 2A near Wilburton as the bus was taking students home from the Factoria School.
Between 1952 and 1978, Bellevue High School experienced four major remodeling additions and remodels.
**1953** – Bellevue is incorporated as a 3rd class city. City Hall was located in the VFW Hall, formerly the Main Street School.
Dr. George Brain becomes school superintendent.
Enatai Elementary opened.
**1955** – Bellevue was declared an **ALL AMERICAN CITY** by the National Municipal League and LOOK Magazine.
**1956** – In January, a parade and other activities were held to celebrate Bellevue’s All American City Award. Bellevue High School selected an All American Boy and Girl.
Dr. Roy Wahle becomes acting superintendent for one year.
Eastgate Elementary opened.
Ashwood Elementary opened.
**1957** – Phantom Lake Elementary opened.
A new Medina Elementary opened.
Highland Elementary opened at 14220 8th Street.
Highland Junior High opened (now Highland Middle School).
Factoria School closed and was used for special services.
Woodridge Elementary opened (officially dedicated in fall 1958).
1958 Lake Hills Elementary opened.
Sunset Elementary opened.
1959 Sammamish High School opened.
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1960 School enrollment – 10,700
Myron Ernst becomes superintendent.
Sherwood Forest Elementary opened.
Robinswood Elementary opened. Closed in 1983 Now houses Robinswood High School and Robinswood Middle School.
Tyee Junior High opened. (now Tyee Middle School)
1961 Three Points Elementary opened. Closed in 1981. Bellevue Christian is now located there.
Lake Heights Elementary opened. Closed in 1985. The YMCA used the facility.
Chinook Junior High opened. (now Chinook Middle School)
Factoria School Building burns. Sold to FarWest Electoronics. Then to Seattle Aero.
The building has been added on to and remodeled. Now is an office building.
1962 Ivanhoe Elementary opened. Closed in 1981.
Surrey Downs Elementary opened. Closed in 1981. Part of the building was used for a daycare for a number of years, but it has since been torn down.
The remaining portion of the building is used for the East Division, Bellevue Courthouse. Also on the site is an old orchard of filbert trees that was once a part of the R.T Reid fruit and flower farm.
Hillaire Elementary opened. Closed in 1979 and sold.
1963 The second Lake Washington Floating Bridge opened.
Wilburton Elementary opened. Closed in 1983. Now houses the District Instructional Center. (WISC)
Newport Elementary opened. Names changed to Newport Heights when Lake Heights Elementary closed in 1985.
Tillicum Junior High opened. (now Tillicum Middle School)
1964 Newport High School opened
Highland Elementary is renamed Walter S. Stevenson Elementary in memory of the long-time principal.
The Bellevue PTA Council was formed.
VIETNAM WAR – American involvement lasted until American troops were withdrawn from Southeast Asia in 1973.
1965 Dr. John Brubacher becomes school superintendent.
Bellewood Elementary opened. Closed in 1981. Currently used for schools being rebuilt.
Hyak Junior High opened. Closed in 1984. Currently houses the International School
The Old Main Street School is condemned and torn down. A gas station is now on the site.
State Legislation authorized the establishment of Bellevue Community College.
Bellevue Community College classes began on January 3rd in temporary quarters at Newport High School. Dr. Merle E. Landerholm, a former history teacher at Bellevue High School, was selected as the college’s first president.
1967 Interlake High School opened. Several additions and modernizations were done between 1970-1986. Interlake Annex was built in 1965 for Special Educations programs. Additions were made between 1969-1983.
The Olympus Northwest program (alternative middle school) also used the building.
Ground was broken for the Eastside’s first community college.
1968 Ardmore Elementary opened.
M. Frank Odle retires after a 55-year educational career in Washington. 50 years in Bellevue.
Mrs. Ringdall, the Director of Food Services, retires.
1969 Dr. William H. Morton becomes school superintendent. Dr. Morton graduated from Bellevue High in 1945. Taught at several schools, Principal at the Factoria School and the first principal at Woodridge Elementary. Also worked in the central administrative offices at the height of the district’s growth.
Construction of the $5 million Bellevue Community College on a 96-acre site near Eastgate, was completed enough by September for fall classes to begin.
Spritridge Elementary opened.
M. Frank Odle passes away.
1969 M. Frank Odle Middle School opened.