10 Years Ago: Barnett’s celebrates 50th Anniversary Looking Back

50 Years Ago From the Herald and Democrat in 1967 The 1967 Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 244 requiring the immunization of all school children against polio, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles and smallpox.

The attorney General of Arkansas gave an opinion that stated this act applies to all students in all schools, grades 1 through 12. The State Dept. of Education and the State Dept. of Health were to make regulations concerning the carrying out of the law. The regulations were under discussion and it was thought that it might be several months before it was known exactly what they were going to be. The Director of the Health Dept. advised that no child above the age of 6 or 7 should receive the immunization against whooping cough. Whether his interpretation of this one disease would apply, was not known at the time of the story.

30 Years Ago From the HeraldDemocrat in 1987 Fifteen sites of historical significance in Siloam Springs were being considered for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

The sites were: First National Bank, downtown branch; the Connelly-Harrington house (Chamber of Commerce building); Siloam Springs City Park; the German Builders house; the house at 305 E. Ashley; the Ed Reeves house; the Quell house; the Will Sweet house; the Duckworth-Williams house; the Bratt-Smiley house; the Fred Bartell house; the Thurmond house; the Siloam Springs Train Station; the Stockton building; and the Gypsy Camp area.

The sites were selected from those surveyed in Siloam Springs by the AHPP through the University of Arkansas Architectural Department.

10 Years Ago From the HeraldLeader in 2007 Reid and Mechell Carroll, owners of Barnett’s Dairyette, said they wouldn’t change a thing when they took over the restaurant at 111 W. Tulsa St. in 1999.

The Carrolls still served burgers, hand-cut fries and shakes from the window of the 600-squarefoot building just like the Barnetts did when the Dairyette celebrated its grand opening June 13, 1957. Minor adjustments were made to the menu and the restaurant, but the heart of Barnett’s Dairyette and its founders Ervie and Eva Barnett live on, said Reid Carroll. The Carrolls purchased the business in February 2002, about two years after Ervie Barnett died.

“We want to maintain the ’50s style,” Carroll said. “We want to carry out Mr. Barnett’s dream of a ’50s style restaurant.”

The Saturday after the paper was published the restaurant held its golden anniversary celebration.