We’re ever so thankful to Historic Arkansas Facts and Photos for the amazing historic finds they collect regarding the Natural State. Every knick knack and paddywhack from Arkansas that’s fit for film can be found at this excellent archive. We’ve shared just a sample of their 1960s memories. Let’s see what the groovy 1970s had in store for Arkansas.
When America celebrated its bicentennial year in 1976, the popular drink 7UP released a series of limited edition cans featuring Arkansas. How much do you think these cans would sell for online these days?
The popularity of the 'Lil' Abner' comic strip led to the creation of Dogpatch USA theme park, located between the cities of Harrison and Jasper. The park's popularity was at its peak throughout the 1970s.
These are familiar faces, indeed, to those who were Channel 4 devotees back in the day. KARK anchor Roy Mitchell, sports anchor Dave Woodman, and meteorologist (back then known as 'weatherman') Tom Bonner are pictured here in a September 1978 print ad for the station.
Incumbent governor Winthrop Rockefeller was rather sure of his status against young upstart Dale Bumpers during that election year of 1970, even if the results proved drastically different. Rockefeller's signature logo and the number '70' in outlined neon yellow suggest a more progressive, 'youthful' outlook for the Rockefeller campaign...but the voters weren't buying into political poster aesthetics that year.
A familiar face to Arkansas, the late Dale Bumpers was featured here in his 1970 campaign to become governor of Arkansas. The then virtually unknown Bumpers would surprise the state by defeating incumbent Win Rockefeller and ushering the fresh, new face of Arkansas politics upon the Natural State.
Granted, Holtz's coaching run with the Hogs lasted well into the early 80s, but the time that head coach Lou Holtz put into the Arkansas Razorbacks ---starting in 1977---made such an impact that by the time the 1970s came to a close, an actual doll had been produced just in time for the first college football season of 1980.
The moderator of Historic Arkansas Facts and Photos shared this childhood photograph, taken at the Shoney's that was on Highway 107 on Sherwood. These iconic restaurant statues have left us, but the good memories have stayed with us.
Compared to the Memorial Day mapped out weekend of entertainment that we have now, Riverfest in the spring of 1978 looked much more mellow and low key there on the banks of Murray Park. Note there's no sign of a Riverbuck money transfer station, but hey, we have to progress with the times...
Once again, thanks to Historic Arkansas Facts and Photos for the amazing photos from Arkansas’s past. We’re happy to take a look back at Arkansas over the decades and see how far the state has come. What are your memories of places like Dogpatch USA or having a roadside stop to eat at a Shoneys? Share your thoughts!
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