Redmond WA Centennial

Redmond Centennial

2012 is our 100th year!

Join the City of Redmond’s year long Centennial celebrating Redmond’s pioneering spirit- past, present and future. The City was founded on December 31, 1912. Back then, the 300 residents of Redmond shared a vision of creating a home for their families. To honor these brave pioneers and all those who came after, the community is partnering with the City in planning many fun and informative celebrations throughout the year.

centennial 1912-2012 Redmond has been pioneering the past, present and future. Take a look at some of the things that have happened in the past 100 years.

December 31, 1912

Ernest Alexander Adams, born November 24, brings the population of Redmond to 300, and the community votes to incorporate as a town encompassing 193 acres. Fred Reil, the town's postmaster, was elected as the first mayor.
Population: 300

1922

Two-story brick school building near Anderson Park opens 12 classrooms to Redmond students from grade school through high school.
Population: 300

1924

Campbell Mill burns. Redmond's lumber industry is devastated as structure is declared a total loss.
Population: 300

1927

Redmond Nokomis Club members purchase books and opens city's first library in rented space on Leary Way with 800 volumes. Relocated to a new building in 1933 that is now the office for the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce...
Population: 400

1939

Local boys vie for $2 purse in bicycle race around Lake Sammamish. Race becomes part of annual Bike Derby event to raise funds for community projects and to celebrate summer in Redmond.
Population:500

1946

Bob Bailie publishes first issue of community newspaper, the Sammamish Valley News. Lead story features government plans to dredge Sammamish River. Bill Brown is mayor.
Population: 550

1950

Citizens and volunteer firefighters help build Redmond's combined fire station and city hall. Growth comes to Redmond as town approves its first annexation of 332 acres (Education Hill), more than doubling its size. Louis Green is Mayor.
Population: 573

1963

Evergreen Floating Bridge opens across Lake Washington and SR 520 is extended to 148th Avenue NE, sparking a flurry of development in Redmond. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges and straightens Sammamish River.
Population: 2,172

1975

Redmond Saturday Market opens and is hailed a success by local farmers, artists, and crafters.
Population: 15,217

1980

Christine Himes takes office as Redmond's first full-time mayor.
Population: 23,134

1985

Microsoft Corporation moves its headquarters to Redmond from Bellevue. Their business license application reports 856 employees.
Population: 28,736

1997

Redmond Town Center, mixed-use shopping center opens on former site of Redmond Golf Links.
Population: 42,230

1999

Redmond Regional Library opens at the northwest corner of NE 85th Street and 160th Avenue NE. The new building includes meeting rooms and expanded capabilities for advanced technology. It also features a number of artworks, both inside and out.
Population: 43,610

2002

Environmental features such as curves and gravel beds are built back into the Sammamish River to help the migrating salmon reach their spawning beds.
Population: 46,040

2012

Redmond Celebrates 100 years.
Population: 55,150 (approx)

What's Happening

Redmond Library Centennial Discovering History Series

May 5 & 19, 7pm

Redmond Library
In conjunction with Microsoft Archives, a display about Microsoft in Redmond to be put up in the lobby of the library. The display will include artifacts, photos and more.

Linda Kraus will conduct oral history workshops, part of the discovering history series.

National Preservation Month Events

Walking Tour
Thursday, May 10, 5:15pm to 6:30pm
Tour starts at the Justice White House

Presentation
Monday, May 14, 5:30pm to 7pm

For more information on National Preservation Month Events, click here

Redmond's 100th Birthday
Bike Bash

May 18 - 4-6:30pm

Bike Bash graphic Redmond may be becoming a centenarian, but it still knows how to have a good time! To celebrate Redmond Bicyclists on Bike to Work Day Redmond is hosting a Birthday Bike Bash (aka a party!) behind City Hall on the Sammamish River Trail.
More details

John D. Spellman Awards

May 24, 2012, 9:30am to noon

Please plan to join Redmond and King County officials and the greater Redmond community for the annual John D. Spellman awards. Redmond and King County will co-host the annual John D. Spellman award ceremony at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center auditorium. Redmond will receive a John D. Spellman award on behalf of our historic preservation activities such as the 2010-2011 restoration of the Anderson Park picnic shelter.

Centennial Community Gardens

April - October 2012

Community Gardens

During the Centennial year, Planning and Parks staff will partner with neighborhoods to promote and consider locations for community gardens.
More details

R-TRIP MONTHLY DRAWINGS

Sign up monthly in your myR-Trip account and each logged commute will count as an entry for the monthly drawing - fifty $25 awards. As a bonus, one lucky winner per month will receive the $100 Centennial prize - a $100 Think Redmond card.
More details

Centennial Walking Tour

May, June, July, September 2012

walking tour graphic
Tom Hitzroth, with Redmond Historical Society, will offer seasonal walking tours of historic landmarks and places in downtown Redmond.
More Details

American Folk Concert

June 10, 7pm
Meadowbrook Church
17944 NE 65th St., Redmond, WA

AF poster

Redmond Chorale's concert "American Folk" is a celebration of our nation's everyday people. In striking contrast to classical music which is performed and often only appreciated by a trained musician and listener, folk music is sung and heard by the rest of us and helps a community define itself artistically--"We are what we sing!" Songs on our concert are as timeless as "Skip to My Lou," "Simple Gifts," and "This Little Light of Mine." In honor of Redmond's Centennial Celebration, Redmond Chorale will present a PNW classic, "Acres of Clams."
For more information, please visit
www.redmondchorale.org

2012 Redmond Derby Days

July 13-15

Centennial Themed Celebration

For more information, please visit
www.redmondderbydays.com

Get Involved!

Volunteers
Our Centennial celebrations won’t be possible without volunteers. If you want to be involved and help make the Centennial celebration a great success, then call or email us. There are many ways to help!

Businesses
Do you want your business to be part of our centennial celebration? Then contact us and learn how you can be part of our history.

Calling All Centenarians!
Do you know a person or business that will be 100 years old or older in 2012? If so, submit a Centenarian today! Are you 100 years old or more? Has your non-profit organization or company been in business in Redmond for 100 years? If so, we are looking for you! Contact us at larhodes@redmond.gov

Thanks for being
part of our History...

Redmond Lights 2011 was full of fun ...

City of Redmond | www.redmond.gov | 425-556-2360