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Bellevue, Kentucky
Bellevue-Kentucky-September-2008.jpg
Flag of Bellevue, Kentucky
Flag
Official logo of Bellevue, Kentucky
Logo
Motto(s): 
"Preserving the Past, preparing for the Future"
Location of Bellevue in Campbell County, Kentucky.
Location of Bellevue in Campbell County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Campbell
Government
 • Type Mayor/Council
Area
 • Total 0.91 sq mi (2.34 km2)
 • Land 0.91 sq mi (2.34 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
568 ft (173 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,548
 • Estimate 
(2022)
5,630
 • Density 6,130.39/sq mi (2,365.97/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
41073-41074
Area code(s) 859
FIPS code 21-05446
GNIS feature ID 2403846
Website www.bellevueky.org

Bellevue is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. It's located right along the southern bank of the Ohio River. In 2020, about 5,548 people lived there.

Discovering Bellevue, Kentucky

A Look Back: Bellevue's History

Bellevue-Kentucky
Bellevue is about 3 miles from Downtown Cincinnati.

Early Days and Native Americans

Long before Bellevue was a city, this area was a popular spot for Native American tribes. They used the land for hunting, fishing, and sometimes for battles. Tribes like the Shawnee, Miami, and Cherokee were active here. In 1745, a big three-day battle happened in Bellevue, involving the Shawnee, Miami, and Cherokee groups.

How Bellevue Got Its Name

Bellevue was named after a large plantation owned by General James Taylor Jr.. He was an important military leader during the War of 1812. The city used to be the eastern part of his huge property. The name "Bellevue" comes from French and means "beautiful view."

General Taylor's family plantation in Virginia also had this name. James Taylor Jr. was a very wealthy man in Kentucky. His old home is still standing today in Newport, Kentucky, in a historic area called East Row.

Growing into a City

Bellevue officially became a city in 1870. Back then, only 381 people lived there. But by 1877, it was growing very quickly!

By the 1890s, Bellevue was a busy place. It had an opera house, which also served as the town hall and fire station. A city guide from that time listed many businesses. There were 15 grocery stores, four bakeries, and even seven places to buy candy! There were also doctors, saloons, and places to get your boots fixed.

Fairfield Avenue has always been the main business street in Bellevue. In 1894, city leaders even made a brochure to attract more people. They described Fairfield Avenue as a great place for shopping, with stores full of the newest and best items.

Fun Times at the Beach

Around the year 1900, Bellevue was famous for its white sandy beaches along the Ohio River. A resort called Queen City Beach opened in 1902. It was one of the biggest inland bathing resorts in the country! You could rent rowboats, skiffs, and sailboats there.

However, the number of visitors to the beach went down. This was because of pollution in the Ohio River. Also, new dams and locks raised the river's water level, making the beaches disappear. Today, Bellevue Beach Park is located where the old Queen City Beach resort used to be.

Bellevue Today

Bellevue is now known as a "bedroom community" for Northern Kentucky. This means many people who live in Bellevue work in nearby cities like Covington and Newport. These neighboring cities are becoming big centers for business and entertainment.

Where is Bellevue?

Bellevue Gateway Donnermeyer Drive foto by andy hemmer cincinnati
The Bellevue Gateway on Donnermeyer Drive.

Bellevue is in the very northern part of Kentucky. It's right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio. The city is next to Newport on its west side and Dayton on its east side. To the south is Fort Thomas.

The city covers about 0.9 square miles (2.3 square kilometers), and almost all of it is land. Bellevue is built on a gentle slope that goes up towards the Kentucky Highlands. This means Bellevue is generally higher than its neighbors. So, when the Ohio River floods, homes in Bellevue usually stay dry, while homes in Dayton and Newport might get wet. Because of this, Bellevue doesn't need a levee (a protective wall) like Dayton and Newport do.

Bellevue's Population and Community

Sacred-Heart-Church-Bellevue-KY
Sacred Heart Church, built in 1892, has long been one of Bellevue's tallest buildings. It's even shown in the city's official logo.

In 2010, there were about 5,955 people living in Bellevue. Most of the people living in the city are White (96%). There are also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 2.3% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

The average household in Bellevue had about 2.25 people. Many different types of families and individuals make up the community.

Learning in Bellevue

Bellevue has its own school district called Bellevue Independent School District. There are two schools for students:

  • Grandview Elementary
  • Bellevue High School

In the 2011-2012 school year, about 783 students were enrolled in these schools.

Famous People from Bellevue

Bellevue has been home to some interesting people, including:

  • Edward Blau, a doctor
  • Harlan Hubbard, an artist
  • Eddie Hunter, a baseball player
  • Virginia Weiffenbach Kettering, a person known for giving to charity
  • Art Mergenthal, a football player
  • Harry Steinfeldt, a baseball player

See also

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