Timeline -- 1970s

1970
The federal census shows Fayetteville’s population to be 30,729, an increase of 52 percent from the 1960 percent. Washington County’s total population was 77,370.

Rock station KKEG goes on the air at 92.1 FM.

1971
Washington General Hospital establishes cobalt unit for cancer patients, and it passes inspection by the Arkansas Department of Health.

UA Professor Robert Kennedy started a portfolio management class using a fund of $100,000 created by Raymond Rebsamen. The fund is “one of the oldest, best funded and most comprehensive portfolio management classes in the country,” according to the business college’s Web site.

1972
The active medical staff at Washington General Hospital includes 63 physicians and dentists. The Candy Stripers summer youth volunteer program admits its first boys. The first patient brought by helicopter is admitted. The chopper landed on the empty parking lot at the Bullington property located south of the hospital.

The Northwest Arkansas Mall opens on the north side of Fayetteville with Sears and Dillards as its anchor tenants.

December 19 — The city adopts a sign ordinance to regulate the size and placement of commercial signs in the city, including banning billboards in the city limits.

1973
Washington General Hospital changes its name to Washington Regional Medical Center. Community fund-raising begins for a $12-million expansion plan that would include a patient tower, a new parking plaza, remodeling of the older section, and renovation and updating of almost every hospital service, with additional space for coronary care and intensive care. The first major donation from physicians is $50,000 and comes from Drs. Andy and Mae Nettleship, Fayetteville pathologists. A kidney dialysis unit also opens with one patient, a nurse, and two dialysis machines.

Restaurant on the Corner begins operation at the northeast corner of Dickson Street and Rollston Avenue. It moved to its present location on Garland Avenue in 1997 after its Dickson Street location was bought and significantly altered.

1975
Washington Regional Medical Center expands to a 240-bed facility.

1977
Hugo's restaurant opened on Block Avenue.

1978
Washington Regional Medical Center dedicates its East Tower on July 16. The expansion of the East Tower included the dietary department, patient rooms on the 4th floor, parking deck, X-ray department, and the bridge that connects the old and the new buildings.  Washington Regional opens a fully equipped heart catheterization laboratory.  New emergency department and 4th floor Pediatrics completed.

1979
Physician staff totals 120. First hospital in state to have birthing rooms. One-day birthing instituted. One-day surgery service begins.

Comments

[Butch Baccus]

I believe that the "KEG" went on the air as 92.1, and was changed recently. Thank you.

[Charlie Alison]

Thanks for that correction Butch. We've corrected the timeline to reflect the correct frequency.