History

AN ACROSTIC TO ACQUAINT YOU WITH OUR CITY

   belleview’s history alive

BELLEVIEW’S HISTORY STARTED AROUND LAKE LILLIAN.The name, Belleview, which means beautiful view, came from one of the original settlers whose daughter was named “Belle”.

ENCHANTING, “THE CITY WITH SMALL TOWN CHARM” is the City’s motto which genuinely reflects the feeling of the City.

LIBRARY, established in 1886 and is the second oldest continuous library in the State of Florida.

LAKE LILLIAN PARK, with its playground facilities, picnic areas, ¾ mile paved trail and a mile dirt-walking trail is the meeting place of the City.

EVENTS held, in Belleview range from annual Founders Day, Nine Mile Pond Historical Weekend (when citizens dress up in historical clothing), Easter Egg Hunt, Charity Walk-A- Thons, Weddings, Reunions, and Birthday parties are all held at Lake Lillian.

VIGOROUSLY, describes how the City preserves its history.  City Hall which houses the City Clerk’s office, is a former Spanish style schoolhouse built in 1926 and sold to the City in 1966.  A walk through the renovated City Hall depicts the old wide school hallways as well as a décor reminiscent of the original construction.  The historical Belleview School Bell has been restored, polished and joins the restored City Hall as a representation of the desire of the community to preserve its history for future generations. City Hall and the historic homes around Lake Lillian are on the National Registry of Historical Buildings.

INCORPORATED IN 1885, Belleview had a population of 350 residents and elected its first Mayor with sixty-three people casting votes.

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES, are an important part of the City which is illuminated during Light Up Lake Lillian and the Christmas Parade season. The COB Employees have won the Presidential Award for their Christmas Parade Float.

WARRIORS, from Chief Osceola’s Seminole Tribe held peace talks at Nine Mile Pond (n/k/a/ Lake Lillian) with the soldiers from Fort King in 1893.

Put the letters together and they spell BELLEVIEW - the City that is wisely traveling through History with yesteryear rooted in its past and tomorrow’s challenges in its sight.