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The headline on January 1, 1970, read “1969 sees good economic growth.” Other front-page stories told how Theo Crenwelge had been elected president of the Llano Chamber of Commerce for 1970, how People’s Savings and Loan had paid its first dividend after less than one year in business, and how there were 352 entries in the Llano County Junior Livestock Show that year.

There were at least five grocery stores in Llano that year. Pinkie’s had the biggest ads in The Llano News; it offered pork roast at 59 cents per pound, bananas for 10 cents a pound, 24 ounce cans of Libby’s beef stew for 59 cents and two pounds of pinto beans for a quarter. Quality Grocery & Market advertised five cans of Libby’s corn for a dollar, a large box of Post Raisin Bran for 46 cents, and a half-gallon of Superior Ice Cream for 79 cents. Donop’s offered two pounds of ground meat for $1.29. C&B and Northside Grocery also ran ads in that week’s paper.

Jim’s Jewelry advertised Smith-Corona typewriters; Shirley Williams advertised registered Angus cattle and waterfront lots on Granite Shoals Lake (even though the lake’s name had been changed to honor Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965). Sid Johnson advertised “Roy Beasley’s garage building and two lots on Bessemer for $8,500.” He also had a “three-bedroom house with carpets throughout” for $8,000 and a one-bedroom house for just $2,800! Moore State Bank offered 18-month CDs for 6.25 per cent.

In the next few weeks, news articles announced several interesting events. Max Alexander had been elected Eminent Commander of the Llano Commandery No. 54, Knights Templar. Cynthia Edwards exhibited the Grand Champion Steer and Miranda Sue Rusche exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer. One hundred twenty-six buyers spent a total of $9,402 in the 1970 auction, an increase of nearly 50 percent from the previous year. Llano received a federal grant for $898,000 to build 36 senior citizen apartments and 14 low income apartments on Berry Street. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department announced that Llano County had tied with Mason and Medina Counties to lead the state in deer harvest with 13,000 each during the 1969 hunting season. Carlos Ashley Sr. was the speaker at the chamber banquet, and the Harlem Stars were scheduled for a visit to Llano.

Acme Dry Goods offered men’s shirts starting at $2.29 and slacks from $6.99. Ladies dresses started at $4.49, and “luxury bath towels” were on sale for $1.39. Ratliff Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick offered a 1970 Impala for $3,419 and a “1970 Pontiac hardtop coupe” for $2,444. T.G. Houston Motor Co. advertised a 1970 Ford Maverick for just $1,995. Other advertisers included Charlie’s Store, Western Auto, Buttery Hardware, Rockwell Bros. and Co. (at 211 E. Tarrant), Winn’s and Grimsley’s.

The new “million dollar high school” (now the junior high), was under construction,and

administrators hoped that it would be finished before the new school year in September. No one signed up to oppose city council members Mac Hutto, Taylor Virdell or Jack Watkins in their re-election bids. City Manager George Rogers was named “Outstanding Citizen” at the chamber banquet.

Congressman George H.W. Bush paid a visit to Llano. He was greeted by a delegation led by Mayor Gordon Donop at the Llano Airport, and addressed a crowd of more than 500 during a BBQ at the Ramblin’ Rose. Congressman Bush was accompanied by Dan Kuykendall, a Cherokee native who was a Tennessee congressman in 1970. Four Texas Longhorn football players from the 1969 National Championship team paid a visit to the new Highland Lakes Recreational Center (now Packsaddle Country Club?) in Kingsland. They were: quarterback James Street, tackle Bob McKay, defensive back Fred Steinmark, and linebacker Glen Halsell.

The April 2 headline announced: “County lovely for Bluebonnet Trail.” Abundant rains had led to a bumper crop of wildflowers that spring, and thousands of tourists were out driving the Hill Country highways.

Tommy Cooper was elected president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Gordon Donop Jr. was 1st VP; Bill Stockton was 2nd VP. Phil Wagner was Treasurer, and directors were: Ted Franklin, John Kuykendall, Dr. George Turner, Joe Sherrod, Jimmie Stewart and A.C. Wessels.

Llano County’s population grew by more than 25 percent during the decade of the ‘60s, from 5,240 in 1960 to 6,583 in 1970. Kingsland began to plan its first “Aqua Boom.” Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes led the Llano County Rodeo Parade on June 4, and a marker was dedicated to honor the historical community of Valley Spring. Ervin Light Jr. was promoted to Staff Sergeant in Vietnam and Chief Petty Officer Roy Inks received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. He had served on the U.S.S. Guadalcanal, which had participated in the pickup of Apollo astronauts.

Bill Fowler was Llano High School’s valedictorian that year, and Britt Bilberry was salutatorian. T.H. Cunningham was editor and publisher of The Llano News, which cost just 10 cents per copy back then. Clarice Davis was chosen as 1970’s Rodeo Queen, and Wilburn Oatman Jr. was elected president of the Llano County Historical Society.

In observance of the Llano Homecoming, held in conjunction with the rodeo that year, a beard-growing contest was held. Lee Duncan, Clayton Doss and Mrs. Weldon Seelinger were the judges. They chose Bert Schorlemmer’s beard as “Ugliest ,” and Wilford Simpson’s as “Most Unique.” Richard Castro was honored for having the “Best Mustache.” All three received electric shavers as prizes; the shavers were donated by Jim’s Jewelry, Corner Drug and Buttery Hardware. That was 1970.