History of Bentonville, Arkansas in Timeline
Bentonville, Arkansas, is the county seat of Benton County and a key city in the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, its population was 54,164, making it the ninth-most populous city in the state. Situated centrally within the county and adjacent to Rogers, Bentonville is part of a larger three-county metropolitan region with a population of 546,725, contributing significantly to the area's economy and culture.
7 hours ago : Severe weather hits Arkansas: Power outages, school closures, and safety warnings.
Northwest Arkansas and River Valley faced potential severe weather, causing over 20,000 power outages. A Level 4 severe weather forecast led to school dismissals and closures for safety precautions.
1901: Apple Industry Peak
In 1901, Benton County became the leading apple producing county in the nation, thanks to good transportation.
1908: Confederate Monument Installed
In 1908, a confederate monument was installed by a local United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter.
May 1922: Ku Klux Klan Chapter Opened
In May 1922, the first Ku Klux Klan chapter was opened in Bentonville.
1923: Klan Membership
By 1923, documentation showed at least 162 men were members of the Klan in Bentonville.
1950: Sam Walton Buys Variety Store
In 1950, Sam Walton bought the Harrison Variety Store on the Bentonville town square.
March 18, 1951: Walton's 5 and 10 Variety Store Opens
On March 18, 1951, Sam Walton opened "Walton’s 5 and 10 Variety Store" after remodeling the Harrison Variety Store.
1954: Highest Recorded Temperature
In 1954, Bentonville recorded its highest temperature ever at 114 °F (45.6 °C).
1954: Merchants Baseball Park Hosts Youth League
In 1954, the four baseball fields at Merchants Baseball Park have hosted the Bentonville Youth Baseball League since its inception.
1996: Lowest Recorded Temperature
In 1996, Bentonville recorded its lowest temperature ever at −16 °F (−26.7 °C).
1996: Burns Arboretum/Nature Trail Added
In 1996, the Burns Arboretum/Nature Trail was added and includes a State Champion tree.
1998: XNA Airport Opens
The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), located approximately 12 miles southwest of the city center, opened in 1998.
2000: 2000 Census Data
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,730 people, 7,458 households, and 5,265 families residing in the city.
2002: Walmart #1 Fortune 500
By 2002, Walmart became the #1 Fortune 500 company, while still based in Bentonville.
2005: 2005 Special Census
The 2005 Special Census reported 24,837 Whites/non-Hispanic whites (86.8%), 2,428 Hispanics of any race (8.5%), 1,135 Asians (4.0%), and 510 Blacks/African Americans (1.8%).
2010: 2010 Census Population
By the 2010 Census, the population of the Northwest Arkansas region had increased to 463,204, marking a 33.47 percent increase.
2011: Crystal Bridges Museum Founded
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton in 2011, is a $450 million museum designed by Moshe Safdie.
March 28, 2014: Interstate 49 Redesignation
On March 28, 2014, the highway formerly designated as Interstate 540 was redesignated as Interstate 49.
2015: Bentonville Film Festival
Beginning in 2015, the Bentonville Film Festival has been held annually the first week of May in Downtown Bentonville.
2017: Bentonville Population
As of 2017, Bentonville had a population of 49,298 with a primarily non-Hispanic white population.
2017: New Walmart Headquarters Announced
In 2017, Walmart announced their intention to construct a new central headquarters in Bentonville.
2017: Thaden School Opens
Thaden School opened in 2017 and is the first independent high school in the city.
2018: Stephanie Orman Elected Mayor
In 2018, Stephanie Orman was first elected as the mayor of Bentonville.
2018: Cricket Pitch Approved
In late 2018, plans for a public cricket pitch were approved for a new park in the southwest of Bentonville.
June 1, 2020: Black Lives Matter Demonstration
On June 1, 2020, local residents held a non-violent demonstration at the statue in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, until it was ended by the Benton County Sheriff's "mobile field force".
September 2020: Confederate Monument Removed
In September 2020, the confederate statue was removed from the square.
2020: 2020 Census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 54,164 people, 18,223 households, and 12,212 families residing in the city.
2020: Bentonville Population
In 2020, the city proper had a population of 54,164, making it the ninth-most populous city in Arkansas.
2021: Bella Vista Bypass Completed
In late 2021, the Bella Vista Bypass to the north was completed and opened.
July 2023: Monument Relocated
In July 2023, the confederate monument was relocated to the new privately held James H. Berry Park.
2030: Population Projection
By the year 2030, the city is expected to reach 50,000 people.
Mentioned in this timeline
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