star like point of light slowly travelling across the sky in 1954

As 12 year old in 1954 I was sleeping in the back yard.  While gazing up at the stars I noticed a very small point of steady white light moving upward from just above the horizon.  Its appearance was like a very dim star.  
It slowly traveled across the sky and after about 30 minutes it disappeared.  If it had been a few years later I would have assumed it was a satellite.
Bright flash in bellingham area.
A flash of light lit my whole house.  My dog freaked out.  
At the same time a friend who lives 15 miles away witnessed this same light and his dog freaked out, as well.  
I was wondering if anyone else noticed this.  I have never seen a UFO and don't nessasarly beleive in them, but I can not think of another explaination.  My girlfriend has witnessed a similar occurence.  Winter lighting???
Witness indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate.  PD