The Redmond Derby Days Criterium Bicycle Race - "Then and Now!"

The second Derby Day Bicycle race was held in 1941 at this starting point.  What will your photo look like?
Courtesy of Redmond Heritage Society

It's hard to pinpoint the exact location of the race in this photo but the Derby Days Bicycle races are so symbolic of Redmond that "The Friends of Redmond Library" (FB) want to include it in their photo contest.  $100 Grand Prizes!

The races began in 1940 and this is a photo of the second year they took place. Note the starting ribbon being held across the competitors to ensure a fair start.  Question?  Will Mayor Marchione hold a ribbon this Centennial year?  The name has changed to The Swedish Medical Center Criterium but the tradition continues.   According to the City of Redmond, the races are in their 72^nd year and are the longest running bicycle race in the nation!  

The Swedish Medical Center Criterirum is a series of multi-lap races running through the downtown and starting at the Courtyard.  Races will be held between 1:15 to 4pm on Saturday.  A kid's race is at 3:15.  Don't miss the Pros's from 7-8pm!  

This photo is one of six historic Redmond photographs being featured in the Redmond Library's "Then & Now Photo Contest." From June until August 15th residents of every age and background will be vying for a chance to have their photographs be the "Now" representations of six Redmond scenes, including this one. Two Grand Prize Winners will receive $100 - one adult, one child.  Read More to See Contest Details >>

And then there were three...'Old Redmond Historic Guided Tours'

Historic Guided Tours usually begin at the "Justice White House" - once a hotel and later
the Club House for Redmond's nine-hole golf course (now Redmond Town Center)   

Three 'Old Redmond Historic Guided Walking Tours' remain:

The Old Redmond Cementary, 7/15

Olde Towne, 9/10

A Haunted History Tour, 9/30

Have you ever taken one of  the guided walking tours of Redmond's historic downtown core?   It is guaranteed to provide facts, figures, and fun, with local historian Tom Hitzroth emcee'ing the stories, gossip, and names.  Did you know in whose building an alleged bordello operated?  Hint:  He would later become Redmond’s longest serving mayor!  Three tours remain.

Walking Tours run from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., usually beginning on the front steps of the Justice White House, 7730 Leary Way NE.,  at the west end of Redmond Town Center where the Saturday Market is held.

Don't miss Tom's tour of the Old Redmond Cemetery on July 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will begin at the flag pole located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180 Avenue NE. The tour begins at the flag pole, located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180^th Ave NE.   Parking is available in the Home Depot parking lot immediately north of the Cemetery.  Details here.  Tours are cancelled with rain.

Tom is conducting his last Olde Towne tour on September 9 and a haunted history tour on September 30.  Registration is required by the Thursday before the tour.  A fee of $8 per person will help fund Society research.   Contact the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) office  at 425-885-2919,  or  email  at info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or go online  at www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

Released By Doris A. Schaible, a past Redmond City Clerk of 30 years. 
Community Relations, RHS
Photo By RHS
Android Walking Tour Ap for $2.75
City Walking maps of Olde Towne Loop, Rookery Loop, and Bridle Trails Loop

Redmond history highlights from the '50's

1952 Lake Sammamish fishermen complain a seal is eating all of the fish, but state fisheries agents are unable to catch it, and the seal continues to live in the lake for the next 22 years

1955 Redmond's population increases to 792 

1957 Nike Missile facility is built in Redmond by the US Army. The control center is located behind Hartman Park.

1960 US Census records Redmond population as 1,426, almost doubling in just 5 years.

 Read these and other fun Redmond facts in this month's issue of the Centennial Chronicle

 Read More in the Chronicle!

Redmond Derby Days is coming July 13, 14, 15

"Layers of Redmond Colors," By Kamal Siegel

KAMAL SIEGEL/ "Layers of Redmond Colors" 

Redmond resident and small business owner of  Double Digital.  Kamal Siegel is building a collection of  photographs to honor Redmond's 100-year birthday celebration next year.

Kamal was on the Redmond Arts Commission when Tom Flynn was Chair.  Follow Kamal's growing gallery here.

City celebrates $107,755 renovation of historic Anderson Park shelter - Rotary Club hosts event

from the desk of Pam Mauk, Executive Director, Together Center... 

Anderson Park shelter is located in Redmond's first park

Rotary Club of Redmond hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate renovation of historic Anderson Park

Rotary Club of Redmond, a key partner in the renovation of a 1938 Anderson Park shelter, will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the renovation on Thursday, August 25, at 1 pm. The newly-renovated park shelter is located in the north-east corner of Anderson Park in the heart of Redmond at 7802 168th Ave NE.

All are welcome to join the club for the ribbon cutting and cake. The gathering will last about a half hour.

The Anderson Park shelter is one of the city’s most popular shelters and is often reserved for family barbecues or birthday parties. The Rotary committee chose to participate in this project because of the historical significance it has in Redmond and the shelter acts as a gathering place for individuals in the community.  Read More >>

Redmond Centennial Celebration Plans Are Underway - Read how you can win the $500 award!

30-year Mayor Bill Brown coined the phrase: 
"All roads lead to Redmond"

 Redmond Centennial Celebration 2012

“Redmond was founded by true pioneers, men and women who came up the Sammamish River to a beautiful, yet untamed wilderness. We have been pioneering ever since – first logging and farming, now microchips and bio-engineering, while in the future we look towards a diverse economy with businesses thriving in both the downtown and Overlake.”
  --Redmond Mayor John Marchione

Redmond Centennial Redmond incorporated as a city on December 31, 1912 when the birth of Ernest Alexander Adams brought the city’s population to 300, the number required by State law. The driving force behind incorporation was the ability to tax liquor sales – the funds of which were needed to finance a waterworks system.

Redmond’s Centennial will kick off at Redmond Lights 2011 and culminate in a special celebration at the end of 2012. Throughout the year, special new events will augment Centennial celebrations incorporated into existing community events – the manner of which to be determined by the committee.

See who's on the the Centennial Blue Ribbon Committee!  Learn how you can participate in the Centennial Logo Competition & earn $500!  READ MORE >>