World War I memorial | Heritage Corner

In January 1920, three elm trees were planted by the Bellevue Minute Women in front of the Bellevue Grade School in honor of three Bellevue men who served in World War I: Victor Freed, Victor Hanson and Oscar Johnson.

August 26, 2013 5:41 pm
Dedication of WWI memorial in Downtown Park
Dedication of WWI memorial in Downtown Park

In January 1920, three elm trees were planted by the Bellevue Minute Women in front of the Bellevue Grade School in honor of three Bellevue men who served in World War I: Victor Freed, Victor Hanson and Oscar Johnson.

The monument also originally served as a flagpole for the school and was dedicated on Armistice Day in 1926.

The two little girls in the photo, Helen Lysell and Doris Hanson, were the nieces of one of the honored soldiers, Victor Hanson.

The elm trees are still standing, but the area is now a part of Downtown Park. One tree was taken down in 2007 after being damaged in a windstorm, but another tree was planted to replace it.

 

Heritage Corner is a feature in the Bellevue Reporter. To learn more about Bellevue and Eastside history contact the Eastside Heritage Center at 425-450-1049 or visit EastsideHeritageCenter.org.