The grand opening of the Overlake Memorial Hospital on Oct. 16, 1960 was the result of years of energetic planning and fundraising. The need for a large hospital on the Eastside had always existed; no one wanted to be stuck on the wrong side of the lake with a medical emergency.

However, it was the post-war population boom that gave Bellevue the resources to fix that problem. The year 1953 saw the foundation of the Overlake Memorial Hospital Association, and for the next seven years, the association and its many auxiliaries used almost every method imaginable (and legal) to gather revenue.

There were raffles, benefit ball games, door-to-door collections and cookbook sales. The Bandage Ball, inaugurated by the Fabiola Auxiliary, remains in use to this day. Even children donated money collected from salvaging bottles.

Perhaps the most memorable event was a grudge golf match between rival Bellevue landowners Kemper Freeman Sr. and James Ditty. (History is silent regarding the winner.)

 

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.