The old Bellevue Pioneer Cemetery was located near what is now 112th Avenue Northeast and Bellevue-Redmond Road. It began as five acres of the Warren family’s private burial grounds. It expanded to include their pioneer neighbors – like the Whaleys, the Shiachs, the Bechtels, the Boddys and Numotos.

There was a corner of the cemetery that was dedicated to the Japanese community.

Thought the last plot was sold in 1930, the cemetery remained in use through World War II. There were about 200 people buried there. The land was deeded to the Bellevue Masons in 1955 who wanted to build a Masonic Temple on the site. In 1969 the land was sold to developers and the next year the remains from the cemetery were removed. Many were reinterred at Sunset Hills Memorial Park or Acacia Cemetery, with unidentified remains marked with “Unknown Bellevue Pioneers” plaques.

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.