By Jason Wentworth
In early 1949, two noteworthy events took place. One: The Blizzard Of '49. Two: The first broadcast of AM 1400 KCOW. The radio station signed on February 15, 1949--earlier than expected, to allow for news updates related to the blizzard.
In the 75 years that followed, KCOW experienced a variety of changes. In 1955, a relocation to the studio building on West 10th Street; in 1966, the transfer of ownership from Sandhills Broadcasting Corporation to KLOE, Inc. (now Eagle Communications); in 2018, the addition of an FM translator at 92.5FM, among many other changes in technology, programming and operations.
Over the years, KCOW has celebrated milestone anniversaries in a variety of ways. The 50th and 65th anniversaries were celebrated with live music performances at the Heartland Aviation hangar. Other anniversaries were celebrated with on-air interviews with former staffers.
Perhaps the most unique celebration of a KCOW anniversary was the KCOW Memory Quilt in 2009. The idea to create a quilt featuring blocks depicting memorable aspects of the station was devised by then-station manager Mike Fell. The quilt blocks were created by stitchers throughout the panhandle. The quilt was displayed in multiple locations including the KCOW Studios.
This year, as KCOW celebrates its 75th Diamond Anniversary, the quilt has been brought out of the closet to once again bring back fond memories of everything from Mike Glesinger's "Oh my!" to the adventures of the Cinnamon Bear.
The quilt, along with historic documents related to KCOW, will be displayed throughout the month of February at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, where the history of the sandhills comes alive. KCOW would like to thank Becci Thomas and her staff at the Knight Museum for their support in bringing back this unique memento of KCOW's legacy as The Voice Of Box Butte County.