Recollections

50 Years Ago

Pea Ridge Graphic

Vol. 3 No. 42

Thursday, Oct. 19, 1968

The new home of the Bank of Pea Ridge adds aesthetic appeal to the community through its modified colonial design, so fitting in a town of such historical importance as is the town of Pea Ridge. Customers, though, have already been learning that the charming new bank facilities offer far more than an attractive appearance. In the first place, customers may now attend to banking business here without leaving their cars. A paved drive encircles the building, allowing customers to pull up at the drive-in window and be waited on by one of the tellers. An intercom system allows customers to communicate with the teller. Spaciousness is apt to be the most striking feature of the new bank building to those long accustomed to doing business in the small one-room structure that had housed the Bank of Pea Ridge since its origin 57 years ago.

It was 57 years ago that a group of forward-looking men put their faith behind an idea that they thought needed by the community of Pea Ridge, and the Bank of Pea Ridge was born. Led by two men who had been friends since childhood, W.T. Patterson and J.M. Putman, enough interested citizens took stock in the venture to raise the $10,000 capital needed to obtain the bank charter. The year was 1911, and Benton County was almost just one big apple orchard. Patterson was elected president, a position he was to hold continuously the next 46 years. J. M. Putman was named cashier, and he served the bank in that office steadily for 31 years.

The town of Pea Ridge traces its history, by official recollection, to 1850 when the first postmaster was appointed here. During the last decade, the post office has shown rapid strides. The rural route has been increased from 42 to 74 miles a day; the number pf postal boxes has than doubled; and postal receipts in the last eight years have tripled. Now Pea Ridge has three mail services daily, but a century ago, the first settlers received their mail by horseback only twice a week. Mail call was a big event. When the mail came in the crowd would gather about anxiously awaiting turns as the postmaster would call the names of those fortunate enough to receive a letter.

40 Years Ago

Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene

Vol. 13 No. 42

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1978

Controversial matters at the Pea Ridge City Council meeting Thursday evening were postponed until the next meeting, the advertised revenue sharing hearing was held and allocations voted, and routine matters were acted upon. Bringing the greatest dissent and discussion before the council and from the councilmen was the action taken unilaterally by Pea Ridge Mayor Cotton Carter to purchase a new base station for the police radio system. After checking the bills being proposed to be paid, Councilman Daryle Greene asked where was the bill for the radio? It was not included with the bills for payment and could not be produced by the city staff. Discussion ensured between councilmen about how the purchase came about and Police Chief Loyd Pifer was asked to recount the circumstances.

Oct. 9 a group of young Pea Ridge businessmen got together to organize a Junior Chamber of Commerce, and, they set a record with their first meeting. They formed a new charter in one hour. Nationally, the old record, which had stood for many years, for forming a new charter had been eight hours. On Oct. 16, the group met again and elected officers. President of the Jaycees of Pea Ridge is Rick Webb. Ray Hoback is vice president and Jim Roe is secretary-treasurer. The men, feeling there was a need for more community activity and concern, worked hard Monday evening at the Hungry Farmer and came up with a schedule of activities.

A trip to France, Switzerland and the Alps entertained some 40 people at the Pea Ridge 4-H Club's annual Achievement banquet Saturday evening at the Extension Homemakers building. Along with the entertainment went the presentation of awards to the members and installation of officers for the year. Each member of the club was presented with an award pin for his or her membership and participation.

30 Years Ago

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Vol. 23 No. 42

Thursday, Oct. 20, 1988

A successful Pea Ridge Fall Fest has increased the Elementary Roof Fund to within approximately $2,000 of its goal. Festival Chairman Tommy Lynch said that he was pleased beyond expectation about the results. "We did well," he said, adding that although total figures are not yet available, it appears that all of the activities raised well over $3,500 for the fund. The goal of the fund is $18,400. Figures from the Bank of Pea Ridge show that $13,159.70 has been deposited in the Roof Fund.

A new business, Package Express, has opened in Pea Ridge, its owner said. Mike Freeman said that Package Express will share space at the office of The TIMES of Northeast Benton County. Freeman said, "People who live in Pea Ridge, other areas of northeast Benton County and points in Missouri will no longer have to drive all the way to Rogers to ship those special packages during the holidays or for any other occasion." He said that Package Express will use the services of United Parcel Service, the U.S. Postal Service or any other appropriate shipper.

The Pea Ridge School District is looking for substitute teachers and will to pay them not only for their substitute time but for their training as well. Elementary Principal Ozy Murphey said Monday, "We are in dire need of substitute teachers." Murphey said that on one occasion this year, he has had to close the library to students and use the librarian as a substitute teacher. He said, "It's the second time I've had difficulty in doing it this year, but the first time I've had to close the library." Murphey said that he needs between a dozen and 15 people in the substitute pool. "Right now," he said, "I've got three or four; that all I have." Susan Buchanan, supervisor of special projects and special education for the district, said that a one-day workshop will be offered to 20 parents and/or members of the community who want to become certified substitute teachers in the district. She said that those attending the Nov. 7 workshop will be paid $25 for their commitment.

Mellissa Boen, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl W. Boen, Garfield, won a Gold Medal for first place all around at the Diamond Cup gymnastics competition recently in Conway, Ark. She won first on the balance beam, first on the vault with a 9.05, second on the floor and fourth on the bars. Mellissa has qualified for the state competition in the spring.

20 Years Ago

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Vol. 33 No. 42

Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998

Lots of people in Pea Ridge raise tropical plants, mostly inside, but Ruth Morrison by far may be caring for the largest. Mrs. Morrison, who lives on Bowen Street with Janelle Berry, said, "The plant is native to the rain forests of the tropics. It's called a Persian Palm," she said. She said, "I've been growing them for about 20 years." Mrs. Morrison said, "The bulbs are nearly as big as fence posts. "It takes about 10 years to grow the bulbs to maturity. They came from the island of Ceylon. The bulbs don't multiply every year. Just when they decide to."

Ten Central, a division of SAV-KIDS, Inc., of Rogers, will conduct a test study with the junior and senior students at Pea Ridge High School, according to Linda Nida of the organization. She said that the study, which will ongoing for the 1998-1999 school year, has been established for the purpose of compiling statistics on teenage driving behavior. This study, Nida said, is being done to prove the program establishes better driving habits by cutting down on the number of traffic accidents and traffic tickets. These statistics will be furnished to insurance companies in an effort to receive premium discounts for those youngsters enrolled in the safety program, she said.

Together they are Jawes, a team of SEEK students in Pea Ridge High School, who devoted considerable time and talent to the creation of an ingenious little robot which they names "Toxic Crawler." Toxic Crawler recently competed with other robots in the annual NWA BEST (Northwest Arkansas Boost Engineering Science & Technology) competition, and came away with two of the seven awards, Most Novel Robot and Most Photogenic Robot. The competition simulated cleaning up an area that had been used as a dump site for toxic and/or hazardous waste. This year, there were 242 schools and more than 2,000 students participating in BEST competitions in four states. Pea Ridge was the smallest team participating in the competition.

10 Years Ago

The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Vol. 43 No. 42

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008

For the second time in less than a week, students from the Pea Ridge Middle School were evacuated and taken to the High School gym because of a bomb threat. According to school officials, both threats were written on the display screen of a graphing calculator. Tuesday morning, shortly after school began, Pea Ridge police were notified of the threat. The first threat happened Wednesday, Oct. 15. The threat on Oct. 15 interrupted studies for several hours. "There was a message on a graphing calculator that said bomb under the building at 1:30," school superintendent Mike Van Dyke said of last week's incident. In both instances, Pea Ridge police responded to the Middle School to investigate the threat of a bomb on the premises. Fire trucks, firefighters, the ambulance and emergency personnel staged on the west side of the high school and blocked the perimeter of the property.

Members of New Life Fellowship on Weston Street in Pea Ridge rolled up their sleeves to help Jeannette Puryear of Pea Ridge who lost the majority of her shingles in a wind storm early in the spring. Alan Ash noticed the blue tarps an plastic on her roof, and realizing her need, solicited several of the guys at the church to see if they were willing to help out. An army of willing volunteers showed up recently on a Saturday morning. A great day of fellowship and hard work ensued.

When getting started in the Boy Scout program as a Tiger, John Wheatley, 15, had just one goal -- to become an Eagle Scout. The Eagle award is the highest honor available in scouting and Wheatley can now mark that goal as complete. To earn scouting's highest honor, Wheatley had to earn 21 merit badges, serve as a leader in his troop, and complete a major community service project.