RECOLLECTIONS
50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 3 No. 3 Thursday, Jan. 18, 1968
With all our modern technology and all our sophistication, there are yet things on which we have neither progressed nor improved in several centuries. One of these is being demonstrated at the site of a house being constructed on a mountain near Springdale. Being built by a wealthy Texan and designed by a Springdale architect and being built under the general contract of still another Springdale man, it is believed by some to be the largest and most durably built home in Northwest Arkansas. Utilizing native weathered surface sandstone, the builders are showing that stone cutting, now almost a lost trade, has not changed in many hundreds of years. It still depends upon a man and his hammer and chisel. The construction of this house sees four stone-cutters and an assistant requiring one entire day to cut one load of about three tons of stone. The job will require approximately 500 such loads. So, sometime in 1969, with luck and a good wind to their backs, the stone cutting may be completed. The strength of design and materials being used in it probably could not be matched anywhere in the Ozarks.
40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene Vol. 13 No. 3 Wednesday, Jan. 18, 1978
The first major winter storm of the new year dumped 5 1/2 inches of snow on Pea Ridge Country Monday and sent the mercury to a sub-zero reading of minus one, according to information supplied the Graphic-Scene by amateur weather observer Frank Price. The storm had a paralyzing effect in all of Northwest Arkansas as icy roads forced the closing of most schools, including the University of Arkansas, and many businesses and industries. Paul Bennett of Pea Ridge, State Highway Dept. foreman, said special problems are caused for his grader and snow plow crews when the snow melts and refreezes into ice. Bennet said his crew of 12 men, two graders and two snow plows have been working continuously on rotating shifts since Sunday night.
A “Task Force” operating out of the office of Governor David Pryor has issued a threat to have all children not immunized against certain diseases by March 1 be expelled from school. No details of how the mass expulsions would be carried out or verified were provided. Pea Ridge School Superintendent Roy Roe said the principals had begun a survey to determine how many students the threat applied to, but did not have the figures compiled when school was cancelled due to the weather last Wednesday.
30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 23 No. 3 Thursday, Jan. 20, 1988
The chairman of the Pea Ridge Planning Commission told the City Council last week that it would be worthwhile for the city to once again join the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. Hale and others visited with the commission recently to discuss questions about annexation. The commission’s member fee is based on population of the town.
Pea Ridge Marshal Kelly Wallace said Tuesday he is investigating a Monday burglary in which several thousand dollars in items were stolen. He said, “It was about 2:30 p.m. when it happened and they discovered it about 3:30 or 3:45.” Wallace said that all of the family’s shotguns and rifles were stolen. He said jewelry and clothing were also taken. “They got in and out quickly,” Wallace said. He said, “They gained entry through the back door of the house with something the size of a hack saw blade; they popped the latch on the door.” Wallace said, “they pulled around back and, of course, you couldn’t see the car from the highway.” He said that there were no fingerprints, but added that he “has some pretty good leads.”
20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 33 No. 3 Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998
Amber Robbins was named Colors Day queen Friday in the Pea Ridge High School gymnasium. Colors Day is a celebration of school pride during the basketball season. This year, all of the girls on the high school basketball team chose to dress in evening attire and be escorted onto the basketball court during a pep rally which was attended by students in elementary through high school. Before the evening basketball games, a vote was taken among the girls’ basketball players to choose a king from the boys basketball team and a vote was taken among the boys’ basketball team to choose a queen from among the maids.
Benton County District 3 Justice of the Peace Leo Lynch said Friday that he will seek a third two-year term. Lynch, 62, said, “I feel like I haven’t finished everything I need to do.” He said that he will once again file for the Republican nomination sometime between noon March 17 and noon March 31 filing period. The Republican and Democrat primary will be May 19. Lynch writes a weekly column for The TIMES on matters facing the Quorum Court.
10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 43 No. 3 Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008
The first steps toward Benton County receiving disaster assistance were completed last week as residents around the area cleaned up from Monday night’s storms. At least two confirmed tornadoes, as well as strong straightline winds, hair and rain, pummeled Benton County on Monday, Jan. 7 through the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Several mobile homes and outbuildings were destroyed, streets were flooded, and hundreds — if not thousands — of trees were damaged or destroyed. In the Pea Ridge and Garfield areas, several homes and at least one church were damaged and two mobile homes were completely demolished —one on Roland David Road and one on Bill Billings Road.
The theft of electronic equipment from a teacher’s classroom at Pea Ridge High School resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old Pea Ridge student who is to be charged as an adult. According to police reports, school officials notified police Monday, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. that a burglary and theft of property had occurred.