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.

Read more - Seattle Times story

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

Centennial Community Bonfire

Sunday December 30, 5-7pm
City Hall Campus
Come celebrate the city’s 100th birthday! Bring all your friends and family. Enjoy the fire, luminarias and live music:
5-5:30 Keith Highlanders Pipe Band
5:45-6:30 Celtic Fire
6:30-7 Greg Paul

Redmond Historical Gingerbread Houses

As part of the Centennial Celebration several groups created gingerbread replicas of historic buildings in Redmond. The buildings went on display on Saturday, December 1 as part of the Redmond Lights/Centennial celebration. The Mayor voted and the best gingerbread replicas are...Read more

Redmond’s First Church Hosts Centennial Exhibit

Saturday Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8 & Dec 15
from 1 to 3 p.m
Redmond United Methodist Church, in honor of our city’s centennial, will be hosting the Historical Redmond in Miniature Exhibit in its chapel.
Read more

Celebrate a Redmond Centenarian

Ken Clark, an ambitous career man, is a Redmond Centenairan! Read more

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...

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