1970's - 1980's

      On February 11, 1971 the Walton Verona Elementary School was awarded a contract to build the new elementary school. Then on October 28 of the same year the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades of the Walton Verona Elementary School paraded from the old Elementary School located across from the current Verona Post Office, to their brand new Elementary School located on Porter Road. The Parade was lead by a Walton Verona School Bus and the Fire Department. Then on December 5, 1971 the new elementary school was dedicated with the attendance of 350 people.
      
     One of the most destructive fires in the history of Walton struck on April 9, 1971. The fire was caused by trash fire that got out of hand and was spread by the wind to one business to the next. The fire hit the businesses of the Boone County Drug Store, the Village Barber Shop, an adjoining house known as John's Place, and the Walton Garage. The damage estimated $250,000. Because of this fire an Ordinance was put into effect. This Ordinance stated the no person or persons will be able to burn trash.
      
     On October 21, 1971 the Standard Oil Station in Walton was robbed by 6 people who were caught later that night.
      
    On March 4, 1972 Ernest Perry, Ronald Swiger, and Anthony Garcia died in a small plane crash. The plane crashed into a hillside in a pasture just off High Street on Leonard Clifton's property. Willard Martin said that he saw the plane come straight down and crash into the hillside. The plane hit so hard that it drove the motor deep into the ground, and  it tore off the wings and tail section. The fire from the wreckage was so minor that it only took two small fire extinguishers and four buckets of water to put the flames out.
      
     Zion Baptist Church celebrated it Centennial on June 18th of 1972. The hundred year old church was founded by Rev. and Mrs. John Green, George Chatman, Daniel Williams, John Williams, Courtney Watkins, and Rev. Soloman Watkins. The first pastor was Rev. Soloman Watkins who was buried by the side of the church on the hill directly behind the present church.
      
     At age 25 Denny Taylor of Walton released his first album in July of 1972.
      
    On October 4, 1972 Paul Tuemler LP Gas Sales and Service Plant on Nicholson Road was hit by a fire. The fire was thought to be caused by bad electrical wiring, but the real cause wasn't known. The damage estimate was $15,000.
      
    The Old Wooden Bridge on Needmore Street gave way under the weight of a truck and was immediately closed to traffic on November 24, 1972. This blocked the road for many vehicles, and a alternate route had to be taken. The repair took approximately 2-3 weeks.
       
     On December 8, 1972 Governor Wendell Ford announced that the City of Walton will receive  $258,000  in federal monies, and a state loan of $156,000. This was to help the waste treatment facilities. On November 4,1974 Walton held a dedication ceremony for its new 3 million dollar sewer system. That same day it also had its Ground Breaking Ceremony where mayor Sam Gamble broke ground for the new project.
      
     Walton experienced very heavy winds on March 24, 1975. The winds were so severe that Ryan's Hardware Store received $12,000 - $15,000 in damage. Ryan's was hit the hardest by the winds.

       On November 3, 1975 the Walton IGA had a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the new store located at the current Walton Food Mart.
      
     The Senior Citizen Project (Walton Village) Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on October 5, 1976. The building is located at 35 School Road across from the High School. This is the first Senior Citizen Housing Project that has occurred in Walton.
      
      In mid November, 1976 the old Opera House was demolished. This was an upset to many people in town. The Opera House  (Old Model Food Store) was a landmark and it offered amusement at any time of the day. The Opera House was demolished to build the new Model Food Store (currently the Outreach Fellowship Center of the First Baptist Church).

       In 1976 Steve Cauthen made racing headlines at age 16 by winning 240 races, a record for an apprentice jockey. The next year his 487 winning rides and $6 million in purse earning set new records and landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice, plus led to 3 Eclipse Awards. Then on April 1, 1977 Mayor Sam Gamble declared that April 1st was officially known as Steve Cauthen Day. Then on August 30 the Kentucky Junior Chambers of Commerce chose 10 people to receive the Outstanding Young Kentuckians Award. Steve Cauthen was chosen to be one of these ten people. Then in 1978 at age 18, Cauthen became the youngest jockey to win racing's Triple Crown aboard Affirmed. The next year Cauthen moved to Europe and was a 3 time leading rider in England (1984, 85, & 87). Cauthen is the only rider to win 5 major Derby's: The Kentucky Derby, England's Epson Derby, The French Derby, The Irish Derby, and The Italian Derby. For more information on Steve Cauthen visit http://www.cityofwalton.org.way_back_stub/Cauthen.htm#top
      
     The Boone County Carpet Mills located at 16 South Main Street (currently a parking lot) caught on fire and was destroyed on Feb 26, 1977. The Fireman went and put out the fire and left. When they got home the were called out a second time because it caught fire again. While trying to fight the fire Tommy McIntyre fell though the floor but was not badly injured. The fire was thought to be started by the furnace, but the real cause in unknown.
      
       The ground breaking for the Walton Christian Church's new Christian Educational Building took place on August 30, 1977