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If you enjoy history, especially the history of the Civil War, then visiting Civil War Sites is a must. It's the only national military park in Arkansas. There is a visitor center, a trail for horseback riding, an 11-mile asphalt trail for bikes, a picnic area, and a self-guided hiking trail [takes about 1 1/2 hours]. In addition, there is a 7-mile self-guided drive-through tour that includes 10 tour-stop areas with historical site markers.
Right next to Bella Vista Village, [on Highway 62] you will find the location of the the first major battle of the Civil War in Arkansas. Ironically, it turned out to be one of the largest conflicts west of the Mississippi.
This battle, ironically, yielded Missouri to the Union Army!
During this battle, 26,000 men participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge during the early days of May in 1982. Thus, a national military park now preserves this site. It can be found along U.S. 62.
It's open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day, but is closed on major holidays.
On our way from Eureka Springs toward Bella Vista Village, we went right by this site. These kinds of battlefields always impress me and make me thankful that people have the foresight to preserve them. Leave a Comment Phone: (479) 451 8122Directions: Off of Route 62 in Pea Ridge
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While in Bella Vista, see the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel. It's a non-denominational chapel designed by architect, Arkansas native, E. Fay Jones & his partner Maurice Jennings. It's a stunning steel & glass structure influenced by Jones's association with Frank Lloyd Wright [Jones was apprenticed to Wright ]
I loved the lofty height of this chapel & its massive wooden doors. But most impressive, to me, was that this man-made elegant structure fit so well into this rustic setting.
It was built to honor Mildred Borum Cooper who was the wife of John A. Cooper, Sr, the founder of Cooper Communities, Inc.. Since Mrs. Cooper had a deep spirituality as well as a love for nature, this memorial is quite appropriate.
Visitors are welcomed to just sit & meditate. That's a real joy because you are surrounded by huge glass windows that bring lovely light into the chapel & throw shadows here & there. I certainly found it peaceful as well as inspirational.
You are also welcomed to visit the office after leaving the sanctuary of the Chapel. This office is hidden in the trees so take the 1st path to the left as you are walking from the chapel; then you have to turn right at the T in the path. Here, you are able to get a brochure & see a scrapbook that is filled with articles about the chapel & E. Fay Jones.
Office hours are: Monday through Friday from 1-5 and Saturday from 9-5.
The Chapel is open 7 days a week from 9-5.
Note: This Chapel is funded through private contributions; so there is an offering box located just inside the Chapel. Contributions are tax deductible [they will acknowledge that in writing].
I loved the pointed Gothic arch that is repeated throughout the length of the Chapel. Of course, I was also impressed with the location: nestled in a pine & oak forest on a peninsula that is surrounded by Lake Norwood. Leave a Comment Address: 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714Phone: (479)855-6598
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Rogers, Arkansas is a remarkable town that's just perfect for a daytrip from Bella Vista Village. [About 13 miles away.} It's part of a Main Street USA program for downtown Roger's Historical section.; this area is called The Walnut Street Historic District, & it is a block-long cluster of historic buildings that were built between 1885 & 1912.
In the summer of 2004, the city of Rogers opened a new trail system that includes history & architecture from the 1800s & early 1900s.
The trail begins at Frisco Park [corner of First & Elm Streets] and follows sidewalks through the downtown area. The renowned architect A.O. Clarke is responsible for such places as the Mutual Aid Building, J. E. Applegate Building, & the American National Bank of Rogers. Also along the trail, we saw several homes listed on the National Register of Historic places.
But Rogers is more than the walking trail. It's a place with a slow pace, clean air & water, friendly people, & beautiful scenery. (Mountain, forests, lakes, & free-flowing streams).
Beaver Lake is a big attraction. It's an Army Corps of Engineers lake & provides bass, striper, bream, catfish, & crappie fishing. It has numerous launch points along the shorelines & marinas & boat docks. There are also several parks & state recreational areas.
Rogers Super Center is Wal-Mart's store #1. In 1962, it was here in Rogers when the first Wal-Mart store was built.
Outside the historic downtown, you will find a great shopping mall called Scottsdale Center. Allan & I purchased books for Sabrina at the Border's Bookstore there. There's a Malco Towne Cinema, , Old Navy, Kirklands, Lewis & Clark, Rack Room Shoes, Belk, Kohls, The Dixie Cafe, On the Border, & Pier 1 Imports plus numerous other places of interest.
After visiting Rogers, we discovered why this is one of the fastest growing cities in Arkansas. It has the best of the historic & the future. Leave a Comment Phone: (479) 636-0336 Trail Information
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Like all the rest of you VT Addicts, I just had to check my VT mail while vacationing in Bella Vista, Arkansas. So, we found out where the library was located and visited it three times.
It is located in a beautiful place down a long lane in the woods. Local rock is used and certainly adds to the beauty of the building.
It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday with late hours on Wednesday [open until 8 p.m.]
It is unusual, but the library does not receive public tax money so their money comes from a group called Friends of the Library, Bella Vista Property Owners' Association, Benton County United Way, Individuals, and local organizations.
This is not a big library, but it certainly is beautiful and does have video and DVD rentals, Used magazine and book sales, a copy and fax fees. They also have 4 computers that you sign up to use for 30 minutes at a time [unless no one else wants to use it]. You do not have to be a member of the library to use the computers.
I must tell you a most unique story that happened to me as I was on line {VT} while at this library.
I received an e-mail from the son of a long ago friend that I have not seen for 30 years! He put my name into a search engine, and my Virtualtourist page came up so he wrote to me. I was so surprised yet so pleased.
It's always a good idea to check out the public library of the location you are visiting. It certainly is an inexpensive way to use computers [Cost: zero!].
Leave a Comment Address: 11 Dickens Place, Bella Vista, AR 72714Phone: 479 855 1753Directions: Located at the Town Center at the intersection of Highway 71 and 340 Entrance to the Bella Vista Library is the first street on the right off of Lancashire as you travel east of Town Center.Website: www.bvpl.org
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While staying in Bella Vista's Escapes! [The Greens II], we discovered a wonderful place to hike and to enjoy the natural beauty of the Northwest section of Arkansas...Tanyard Creek Nature Trail located in the Bella Vista Village.
There is a good deal of free parking; a choice of the nature trail or the hiking trail. We chose the nature trail because it is 2.5 miles compared to the hiking trail of 1/3 of a mile.
Allan and I were really impressed that this trail was built and is maintained by volunteers. Two men were repairing some of the paths as we walked the trail.
This trail requires sturdy shoes, stamina because of the uphill climb, and careful footing because of all the uneven rocks along the natural paths.
The trail includes streams, small waterfalls, cliffs, bridges, and an enormous amount of unusual vegetation, especially the trees.
We had such a grand time and met and saw unusual sites and sights.
If you are ever in Bella Vista Village, by all means, give the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail a try; I'm sure that you, too, will enjoy it. Leave a Comment Directions: Off of Lancaster Road going East
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on November 1, 2005
