This Week in Danvers: The Early '70's

We can easily find out what was making the national headlines this week in world history.

But what about the important things happening this week in Danvers history?

Here are some fun tidbits of information from back in the day, found in the archives at the . Let us know if you remember any of them, or feel free to share what your life was like back in the 70's in town.

1970

The size of the crowds at the opening of Danvers' Ann & Hope was like nothing Danvers Police Chief Edward B. Farley said he had ever seen. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 bargain hunters shopped at the store that day. The article stated "on opening day, traffic was tied up half a mile in both directions along Route 128, and to the Danvers-Peabody line along Route 114."

The 25th annual Winter Carnival, sponspored by the Danvers Rec Department, was held on the weekend of March 7-8 at the skating area off Hobart Street. The event had been repeatedly postponed due to weather conditions.

The Danvers Falcons basketball team won their third Northeastern Conference basketball Champhionship with a record 12-2. It was said that the Falcons never had anyone in serious conention for the scoring crown, as they held their opponents to an average of 39 points per game.

1971

The Danvers Board of Appeals denied a variance request for apartment development in the Northfield section of town. 715 residents had attended the hearing to construct eight apartment towers of seven stories each, most opposing the move. The land, which abuts the Beverly-Salem reservoir, was proposed to have buildings, recreational facilities, and other uses.

The annual Pinewood Derby was held this weekend at the Holy Name Society of Annunciation Church. 62 handmade cars by the Boy Scouts sped through several elimination heats. The champ, Timmy Ennis, won a racing car trophy and racing pins.