Bellevue High School - Gleeman Yearbook (Bellevue, PA)

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fjaude fa aiew ELDONl do we ever stop to thinlc of the history of our borough. We accept things as they are today, rarely considering the fascinating happenings of the past. The purpose ol this article is to review cronologicaily the most interest- ing and colorful events which marlc the gradual growth of Bellevue. Relics and other evidences have been found otlering sufficient proof that indians once inhabited this area. Although there is no record ot a permanent indian village in the immediate vicinity, two legends still persist. lt is thought that the rounded 'hill at the eastern end ol American Avenue served as an indian burying ground, while the shallow caves along the Ohio River furnished shelter for wandering indians. Andrew Jacques was the first permanent settler. The ravine and rivulet beside which he built his little cabin still bears his name--qiaclcs Run. He built a dam across the rivulet and grain was brought to him for milling. As the wheel turned, he told customers ol his ambition to operate a ferry to lVlcKees Roclcs and aslced for signatures on his franchise petition. The opening of the Davis island Dam was quite an event in both Bellevue and Pittsburgh. Jacques also piloted t.he first steamboat down the river to New Orleans. Not until i850 were there any clusters of buildings that could be dignified with the name ol' village. The streets were named for famous men in history or the leading property owners ol' the community. The school house, the social center ot the boroughs life, was a little one room building standing at the present intersection of Brighton Road and Lincoln Avenue. in the corner of every cabin stood several buckets which were used for lighting tires. When a tire brolce out, everyone rushed to the scene of the blaze and formed a line to the nearest water supply. Bucicets were passed from hand to 'hand with surprising speed and smoothness: and although the citizens never saved more than the foundation. they did prevent the fire from spreading. Reclcless racing hub to hub along narrow, bumpy roads, which were hardly wide enough for a single vehicle, was considered great sport by the wagon drivers ol the day. At one especially dangerous section icnown as mlqhe Narrows horns were used as warnings. Here, by means of a strident fblast, that could be heard for miles, wagoners would signal that they were beginning the triclcy passage. The passage oi Commodore Perry's supply and ammunition wagons along what is Perry Highway gave the local community its only First hand view oi what was happening baclc East. Even when residents of the vicinity first witnessed the wonderful new steam engine, they agreed that, while it might be ol' value where there were no rivers or hills. it was doomed to failure in Western Pennsylvania. From i830 to 1852, the golden years of river transporta- tion, the cliffs above which Bellevue now stands witnessed a steady procession ol' palatial cralt. As there were no stated landing places, handlcerchiels or hats were waved to signal the pilot. If the depth ol water permitted. the boat nosed into the shore: otherwise, the steamer waited in mid-channel while a slcilif went ashore to piclc up the prospective passengers. The population ol' the borough then called Dilworthviile , was concen- trated in the vicinity ol .iaclcson Street and Lincoln Avenue, while the tirst business section stood at the corner ol Lincoln and Sherman tsouth .iaclcsonl Avenues. The first church, the 'Methodist Episcopal, was located at the head ol' North Balph Avenue. The refusal ol Ross Township officials to build a boardwallc to Jacques Run Station in 1867 caused a wave of resentment among the residents of the section later to become Bellevue. The citizens declared that they were not re- ceiving proportionate benetits from taxes paid, and circulated a petition for the incorporation of a town. This was presented to the court. The name chosen for the borough was Belle Vue --meaning in French ubeautilul view. On September 7. 1878 the court confirmed the judgment of the grand jury and decreed that the town of Bellevue be incorporated into the borough of Bellevue. Four days after the granting ol' the charter. the election of the town's official was held at Henry Williams' store. Samuel Claney was elected burgess: Captain VV. A. Rogers, J. J. East, Emory Gleason, Hugh Forrester, and William Claney were selected as members of the town council. Page Eight

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NINA E. JOHNSTON Died November 17, I9-ll sf Nina E. Johnston, an inspiring ieader and sincere friend The Spanish and general ianguage ciasses wiii never forget her She was an exceiient teacher and made iearning tun. Students enjoyed her sense ot humor and amusing anecdotes and at the same time re- ceived an exceptionai foundation in ianguages. As Giri Reserve sponsor Miss Johnston woriced iong and hard setting an exampie to the giris that is weii worth toiiowing. This year, tiui and ready ot her friends understanding that she showed to others. aithough suffering from iii health, she remained cheer to smiie. Her memory wiii he icept aiive in the hearts hy her enthusiasm tor her woric and the sympathetic Uwe tive in deeds, not yearsg in thoughts, not breaths in feelings, not in figures on a ctialg We shoutcl count time by heart throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the tJest.H P. J. BAILEY v Page Seve

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A RECORD OF SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS ln 1867 the post office, named Robella, was established at lxfleade and Lincoln Avenue. James Sterret was named first postmaster. At one time a cable railway ran from Lincoln Avenue, near the Bellevue Theater, to the West Bellevue Station. Since there were no trolley lines, this railway was a great convenience to shoppers and commuters. Vvhen Bellevue was organized in 1887. the community was little more than a struggling country town. An observer, standing at the corner now occupied by a banlc, would have seen a dusty country road unpaved and bounded merely by a shallow ditch. Footpaths were broken here and there by fine new board- wallcs built by some progressive property owner. ln 1870, the frog pond which extended diagonally across Lincoln Avenue was drained, and here Bayne Hall, Bellevuels first auditorium, was built. Although the hall had a lair-sized stage and a seating capacity of three hundred, it was never very popular as the lirst lloor was occupied by a livery stable. The borough, however, was still rural. ln the spring-time the district was covered with the bloom of lruit trees: apple. cherry, plum, and pear: While on the hillsides dog-wood, wild crab apple, and laurel made the scene even more beautiful. The tirst ordinance passed prohibited the running at large ol ucows. goats, hogs, and other domestic anima1s,H-case pf Bellevue vs. One Sorrel Horse is typical of suits brought to court under this aw. The gradual introduction of modern improvements, however, changed the rural setting. The proposal to install oil lamps on the principal corners was defeated by thrifty councilmen. ln 1880, a number of public-spirited citizens offered to erect lamps it the borough would assume the cost of maintenance. This involved the services of a lamp lighter, and many residents remember his windy day struggles in lighting reluctant wiclcs with a shalcing torch. When the one room building proved too small, a new school was erected on Lincoln Avenue, the site of the present high school, though much closer to the street. The janitor summoned the children to school by ringing a 'huge bell, which could be heard for bloclcs. The ringing was repeated at recess but without so much vengeance. A citizen of Bellevue still has the bell in his possession. With the building ol the first high bridge. transportation was made easier between Bellevue and -Pittsburgh, although until 1917 a toll was charged. On July 50. 1900, the Bellevue Savings and Trust Company, then a frame building, opened its door lor business. Not until 1908 was the new banlc built on the present site, the corner of South Balph and Lincoln Avenues. The first niclcelodeon was opened in 1908. Those entering late received ticlcets which were good until the end of the next performance. At the conclusion of an hour's program, the lights would come on: ushers checlced ticlcets and diligently routed out youngsters who, scheming to secure a second hour's delight, hid under the seats. The death of Sandy, an old Scotchman, who was loved by the whole community, brought to the attention of the townspeople the community's need of a hospital. lvlr. L. K. Porter enlisted the aid of fifteen other men and in 1904, alter three years of hard worlc, the Suburban 'General Hospital was finally established. The Euillding, which is now lcnown as the Nurse's Home had a capacity of fourteen e s. Now Bellevue is a prosperous residential district. its hospital has many times the original capacity, with a large and competent staff of nurses and doctors. There are three grade schools and a large, well-equipped high school. It has many churches, a large Borough Hall, a public parlc and library, a well- regulatecl postottice, a banlc, a' thriving business section, two theaters, and a local Y.lV1.C.A. One of the most recent additions is an art museum, displaying the paintings of one of our local artists. The Lone Sentinel Elm in Balph Parlc. approximately three hundred and forty years old, is the only remaining linlc between the past and the present of the borough of Bellevue. Wow lalfze Page Nine