Timeline
1970
Modesto’s population is 61,712
Modesto Peace Life Center founded
Modesto celebrate its centennial
April 22, Modesto celebrates the first Earth Day
Modesto became the first city in the USA to offer curbside recycling
Memorial Hospital opens on Coffee Rd
1971
The new Stanislaus County Library opens on I street. The old library would become the McHenry Museum
Muhammmed Ali speaks at the SOS Club and visits the King Kennedy Center
1972
Fred C Beyer High School opens with the first graduating class to complete four years would be in 1976 for the USA Bicentennial. The mascot was the Patriots
Modesto is named as an All American City
Ernest and Julio Gallo appear on the cover of Time Magazine. Gallo Winery is now the largest privately owned winery in the world
Modesto native Mark Spitz wins 7 gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, all in world record time
Streets of San Francisco premiered on TV, with Michael Douglas as a detective from Modesto
Ward Stine becomes conductor of MoBand
1973
Nancy Young begin working at the Modesto Downtown Improvement District
George Lucas releases American Graffiti about the cruising era in Modesto
Briggsmore Avenue gets completed.
1974
Roller & King opens behind K–Mart
1975
Cesar Chavez marches with 10,000 people to Modesto to stand up for farm labor rights
1976
Fleetwood Mac plays the Ice Arena
McHenry Mansion was purchased by Julio R. Gallo Foundation and then donated to the city of Modesto to become a museum.
1977
May – Vintage Faire Mall opens at Standiford Avenue at US 99
July – Star Wars opens with a special double gala at the Briggsmore Theatre and featuring a new Dolby sound system.
Heat Wave Skateboard Park opens
1978
The East Area Rapist (later identified as the Golden State Killer) strikes fear across Modesto
OJ Simpson speaks at the SOS Club
Peggy Mensinger elected first woman mayor of Modesto
1979
George Gardner becomes conductor of MoBand
Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market begins
Civil rights leader Julian Bond speaks in Modesto
