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.

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.

1990: 1990 Population

The 1990 population was 11,257.

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".