21 Fun Facts About Bentonville, Arkansas

The tenth-largest city in Arkansas, Bentonville, is full of interesting information and history. Dazzle your friends with these 26 fun facts about Bentonville, Arkansas.

21 Fun Facts About Bentonville, Arkansas

Settlers first moved to the area in 1837.
The area was originally known as Osage after the Osage Indians, who used it as their hunting grounds.
In 1843, the settlers renamed the community Bentonville in honor of Missouri politician Thomas Hart Benton.
Bentonville became the staging area for the Confederate Army during the Civil War before the Battle of Pea Ridge, which is just twelve miles northeast of the town.
While no battles occurred in Bentonville, Confederate, Union, and guerrilla outlaws burned many buildings during the war.
Many of the historic buildings today were reconstructed post-war between 1863 to 1877.
Bentonville is the birthplace and world headquarters for the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, Inc.
Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, opened his five and dime store on the Bentonville Square. Visitors can learn how this little store became a retail giant in the attached Walmart Museum.
With more than 1,100 companies conducting business with the retailer, the population has exploded over the years, making it one of the top places to live and work in the country.
With the influx of population, beautiful neighborhoods, a nationally recognized school district, and booming economy, Bentonville has drawn people from all over the world, making it a culturally diverse mecca.
Bentonville has it’s very own cricket league with eighteen teams.
World renown Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is nestled around ponds and forest trails on 120 acres. Founded by heiress Alice Walton and designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the museum is a must-see for visitors and residents. The museum features a permanent collection of American art from the Colonial era to the contemporary era.
Bentonville is home to the new contemporary art venue called The Momentary. The 63,000 square foot former Kraft Foods plant was renovated into a multi-disciplinary space for visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, festivals, and more.
The city boasts more than thirty listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Residents of Bentonville are never far from a park or trail. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy twenty-two parks spread over more than 300 acres and over fifty miles of trails for walking, running, hiking, or biking.
The area has over twenty-eight miles of mountain biking trails to enjoy.
The city hosts the annual Bentonville Film Festival the first week of May, with over 85,000 people traveling in for the event.
There’s even something for the kiddos! Visit Scott’s Family Amazeum 50,000 square foot children’s museum for some hands-on activities.
Travel in and out of Bentonville is a cinch. In 1998, the city opened the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
Aviation pioneer Louise McPhetridge Thaden hails from Bentonville. In 1936, Thaden was the first female to win the Bendix Trophy for the transcontinental, point-to-point aeronautical race.
NBA Charlotte Hornets, Malik Monk, played for Bentonville High School.

Do you live in or have you visited Bentonville, Arkansas? What fun facts about Bentonville would you add to this list?

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