Bentonville Things to Do

The Museum of Native American History has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of American Indian artifacts I have ever seen. They have ancient artifacts, pottery, arrowheads; and historic artifacts, clothing, headdresses, weapons, photographs, and much more. It is family friendly and handicap accessible. Not too many locals seem to know about this place and we need to get the word out!

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Located right in the middle of the town of Bentonville, it was a 5 and 10 (dime) store of 4,000 Square feet. Now it is the center showing how the Walton's, yes besides Sam there was James as brother that promulgated the stores to such magnitude it is beyond belief. This is now the US heritage to our society-buying and on the cheap. The museum started in 1977, but got a kick start of growth in 1984. There is a lot of memorabilia of the Walton's and the employees and the growth that can take a couple of hours to view. Sam died in 1992 and brother James in 1994. The family was rooted in this town, so that is why it started here. Now sales are $350 billion + and they have 1.2 million employees worldwide, and account for 15% of US retail sales. Some stats-huh? It is big

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This area in the far NW corner of Arkansas, and close to Missouri border has been a mecca for retired people for over 40 years. It has continued to grow and is huge in size. There is a total of 16,000 acres, much of which is still timber land. The Linebarger brothers started Bella Vista Resort in 1930's. In 1963, Cooper Communities, a large developer became promoting the area to retire and they still own much of the property. There are 8 lakes, 7 golf courses, 14 tennis courts, and many trails. Lot sales have been going on since 1930's when 700 were sold. Today there are nearly 20,000 people living in the community, even though that may decline with aged.
We did not stop for a visit, but Micky-companion-and I have been here before, and relatives even owned some lots in the past, now sold with little profit. It has been going since early 1960's, and a lot of people bought lots to speculate back then. Now they are being developed with homes.

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Wow. By far this is one of the more detailed displays of Indian artifacts I have seen in my life, and most likely in the US. The theme is to take you from the BC times when Indians migrated to the North American continent and settled throughout. It is estimated there may have been as many as 30 million Indians at one time. A number of Indian collectors donated their items to the museum, and they are all very wonderful and unique.Thousands of arrowheads and tools, but also clothing, and displays of everyday life going through the various periods of evolution of the Indians. The clothes, and living necessities are very good displays. The leather calendar is unique and actual from early 1800's' uses pictures of annual events rather than alphabet, which they did not have.
Donation is appreciated, and there is no charge-but pay them for the work put in to maintain and preserve. Hours are 9-5 Mon-Sat.

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The mill was first built in 1832 by Mr. Blackburn, and with six children owned for 80 year in the generations. The mill burned in 1838, rebuilt and burned in 1848, and then during the Civil War and again 1873. Must have been a match happy crowd. They sold in 1920 to a hotel operator who had to close in 1924. It stayed closed until 1973 when Caywells family rebuilt the structure and owned for 30 years. They sold to Roenigcs of Eureka Springs in 2004. A flood March 2008 brought 4 feet of water to cover the first floor, but 2nd and 3rd were okay. Yes, it got reworked again.

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It is crowded and right in the middle of a busy area, and next to -guess what - a Walmart store and across the street form the headquarters. It was preserved due to locals putting up $1 million in order for Sam Walton not to tear it down. He relented and built a store in the rear area.
Colonel Peel came here in 1875 after the South lost the war. He raised 9 children and the farm of 180 acres was growing apples. Peel became a Congressman and was always proud to entertain people in his mansion. It was splendor in its day, and none matched the Italianate detail. Furnishings were donated for the period era mostly by family members. In renovation in 1994, they had to stucco over the old brick because it was eroding. The adjacent cabin of Andy Lynch is from 1861, and it a very pristine condition, like 100+ years had not effected the structure. It is the gift shop now and office to get a ticket. The gardens is a replica of what it did look like in the old days, and very colorful.
Cost is $3, and they are open 10-4 on Tues-Sat. Well worth a visit

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This town merges with Bentonville and they both are literally on top of each other. Rogers originally had more territory, but Bentonville ended up with the old square and west area. With the surge of Walmart and its headquarters, Bentonville became bigger than Rogers, but they both have many fast food places and retail strips and traffic. The old town started in 1888, but most is gone now. What is now old is from the 1920-50's in the old town square. It still is nice to view the old time architecture. The fame was from the Frisco railroad coming through the town with track in 1881. They still have Frisco Park and the pavilion is a hang out for activity and young crowd to get to know each other

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The town has a fair number of old buildings, mostly in the town square. It also has a lot of red limestone homes that were built with flat thin stones. They are of an era in 1940-60's. The square was relocated to here in early 1900's so it could hold more events. Besides Walton Visitor Center as an anchor of the square, there is also the Courthouse. It was designed by A.O. Clark, a reknowned local architect who did a lot of work also in Fayetteville. Cost to build was $200,000 in and was constructed in 1928. There is also a couple of restaurants and some shops to buy things.