Bellevue’s story begins in the late 1800s, when pioneers were drawn to the fertile farmland and dense forests along the east side of Lake Washington. Logging and berry farming were early drivers of the local economy, with ferries connecting the area to Seattle before bridges existed. The name “Bellevue”—French for “beautiful view”—was fitting for its sweeping vistas of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.

In 1940, the completion of the first Lake Washington Floating Bridge transformed Bellevue from a quiet farming community into a fast-growing suburb. By the 1960s, shopping centers like Bellevue Square anchored the city as a new hub for commerce and culture. Over the decades, Bellevue evolved into a thriving metropolitan center, welcoming a wave of technology companies that earned it a place at the heart of the Eastside’s “Silicon Forest.”

Today, Bellevue is celebrated for its balance of modern innovation and natural beauty. Its skyline rivals Seattle’s, yet its lush parks, trails, and lakefront keep its “City in a Park” spirit alive. It has grown from farmland to one of the most dynamic cities in the Pacific Northwest, offering residents both opportunity and a high quality of life.