19 Interesting Facts About Bentonville, AR

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Bentonville is one of the most interesting and beautiful places to live in Northwest Arkansas (NWA). Considered the seat of Benton County, Bentonville has come a long way since it was first settled in the 1800s, and has some interesting history along with several claims to fame. Bentonville, Bentonville, United States

1. Before it was Bentonville, the city was called Osage

Originally named after the Osage Indians, who used to hunt in the area, the town of Osage was renamed to “Bentonville” in 1843. The rebranding was done in honor of a senator from Missouri named Thomas Hart Benton, who strongly supported making Arkansas a state.

1. The first settlers arrived in Bentonville in 1830 

As early as 1830, settlers were already present in the area, just six years before the state of Arkansas was officially accepted as a state on June 15, 1836. In 1837, Robert Cowen, Robert Weaver, and Thomas Swaggerty rode their horses across the Osage Prairie, searching for land to settle. When they found an area with a natural spring, high ground, and a low water table, they chose it for their new city. Not long afterward, the city of Bentonville was incorporated that same year. Compared to other cities, Bentonville saw slow growth until 1838 when an attorney named Alfred Greenwood moved to town. Greenwood opened a law office, and at the time, the only other business was a general store.

1. Walmart has roots in Bentonville

In 1962, the first Walmart opened in Rogers, Arkansas, but the company didn’t go public until 1970. It didn’t take long for Walmart to make its way to Bentonville, which eventually helped the company grow. In 1971, the Waltons opened a distribution center in Bentonville, which doubled as a home office. Later, in 2016, Walmart opened a culinary and innovation center in Bentonville, where they test and develop new product selections. Prior to placing its headquarters in Bentonville, Sam Walton, Walmart’s founder, ran a five and dime store in the town square. This was the store that eventually turned into the Walmart we know today.

1. Bentonville has a cricket league

Although it’s not a traditional American sport, there is a 30-team cricket league with around 500 players in Bentonville. Teams play a couple times during weekdays after office hours, and on the weekends. The cricket season lasts from April through October.

1. Bentonville’s schools are nationally recognized

There are many good schools in Bentonville, and that’s one of the reasons families move to the area. Among the other good schools in the city, Bentonville High School is ranked #587 nationally, with a score of 96.68/100, according to US News.

1. The Confederate Army used Bentonville as a staging area during the Civil War

The Confederate Army used Bentonville as a staging area for the battle of Pea Ridge, which would take place just 12 miles away. There was a slight encounter at Bentonville that occurred on February 18, 1862, but there were no battles in the city. Union forces came upon a dismounted Confederate cavalry unit, surprising them, and taking some of their horses, and charging into Bentonville just after noon.

1. The town is culturally diverse

Since people from all walks of life have been moving to Bentonville for many years, the area is now quite culturally diverse.

1. Bentonville is home to many historic places

There are more than 30 listings on the National Register of Historic Places located in Bentonville, several of which show up on our list of the most Instagram-worthy homes in Bentonville. Many of these places are historic houses, but there are also places like the Benton County Poor Farm Cemetery, a bank, a courthouse, and more.

1. There is an annual film festival

During the first week of May, roughly 85,000 people attend Bentonville’s annual film festival, and many of those people come from out of the area.

1. There’s entertainment for the kids

Parents in Bentonville often take their kids to Scott’s Family Amazeum – a children’s museum full of hands-on activities, workshops, and exhibits to explore. The museum offers cool perks, like memberships for unlimited visits and kids under two years old are free.

1. There is an airport in Bentonville

There is no better way to make a city accessible than to add an airport. In 1998, Bentonville opened the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, making it easy for people to visit and for residents to travel without having to drive to the airport in Fayetteville.

1. The city of Bentonville has plenty of nature

People who love to go for walks, hike, bike, or hang out in nature never have to go far in Bentonville. There are 22 parks and more than 50 miles of trails covering about 300 acres all throughout the city. There are also more than 28 miles of mountain biking trails.

1. It took a while to get a railroad connection

Even though Bentonville was thriving business wise, it took quite a while for the city to get a railroad to connect it to the rest of the world. It was first attempted in the 1850s with a bill proposing construction between Springfield, MO and Bentonville. However, the bill didn’t go anywhere. Instead, new railroads were built to connect other towns, but bypassed Bentonville. That is, until 1882, when 16 businessmen were able to raise the $42,000 needed to pay for a railroad line from Bentonville to Rogers.

1. Bentonville is still growing fast

Now home to more than 57,000 people, Bentonville is one of the fastest growing cities in Arkansas. Just down the road, smaller neighbors like Little Flock are seeing their own share of that growth, even though the city didn't officially incorporate until 1970.

1. Malik Monk is from Bentonville                                                          

As a sophomore in high school, Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets transferred to Bentonville High School, where he played on the basketball team. His junior year, he averaged 26.9 points per game.

1. Bentonville is ranked one of the best cities for families

Because of its small-town values, beautiful surroundings, great schools, and support systems, Bentonville, Arkansas has been ranked one of the 10 best cities for families. There’s a close-knit feel to the town, and families enjoy walking through downtown Bentonville to visit the unique shops, enjoy tasty meals at the local restaurants, and visit historic buildings. Bentonville is perfect for families who enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of lake access for fishing, boating, and observing wildlife.

1. Bentonville has a low crime rate

The low crime rate is great news for anyone looking to buy a home in Bentonville, especially for families with children.

1. Bentonville is a affordable

Unlike some big cities, like Seattle and San Francisco, Bentonville has a lower cost of living. According to data, rent is about 19% lower than the national average.  

1. Louise McPhetridge Thaden was from Bentonville

Louise McPhetridge Thaden was born on November 12, 1905 in Bentonville, Arkansas. She died on November 9, 1979 at 73 years of age. As an aviation pioneer, Thaden set three aviation records: one in speed, another in endurance, and the third in altitude. She was the first woman in America to hold all three of those titles at the same time. Thaden was also the first female to win the Bendix Air trophy along with her co-pilot, Blanche Noyes. They won $4,500 for first place, and an additional $2,500 prize for being the first female team to win the race. In 1936, Thaden won the Harmon Trophy for Outstanding Aviator.

Bentonville is one of the best places to live in Northwest Arkansas

When searching for a place to call home in Arkansas, you have plenty of options, but nothing beats a that small town charm. If you’re looking for a home in the NWA area, you’ll love the safety and beauty of Bentonville. And if you want that same access with a smaller price tag, neighboring Centerton is well worth a look. For an even smaller, more affordable option near the Oklahoma border, Gravette rounds out the list of Benton County towns worth exploring. Bentonville’s own zip code is one of the region’s hottest — see our guide on the fastest appreciating zip codes in Northwest Arkansas for the full list.

One thing every new resident eventually decides is whether to buy or build in Bentonville.