100th celebration

Historical Society celebrates along the banks of Lake Bella Vista

Brandon Howard/The Weekly Vista Carole Harter, center, speaks Saturday, May 16, to visitors of the 100th anniversary celebration of Lake Bella Vista. A docent at the Bella Vista Historical Museum, Harter and the museum set up a tent on the west bank of Lake Bella Vista to commemorate the completion of Lake Bella Vista dam, which was finished sometime in 1916.
Brandon Howard/The Weekly Vista Carole Harter, center, speaks Saturday, May 16, to visitors of the 100th anniversary celebration of Lake Bella Vista. A docent at the Bella Vista Historical Museum, Harter and the museum set up a tent on the west bank of Lake Bella Vista to commemorate the completion of Lake Bella Vista dam, which was finished sometime in 1916.

In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lake Bella Vista, the Bella Vista Historical Society went to the source.

The historical society organized a birthday celebration and set up a tent Saturday, May 16, on the west bank of Lake Bella Vista. Organizers packed the tent with historical photos, documents and other exhibits in the hopes of sharing Bella Vista's unique history.

"There was a constant flow of people and I was very pleased," Xyta Lucas, museum docent, said. "Everyone seemed to enjoy the exhibit. I was very happy that the thunderstorm forecast fizzled out."

The museum was celebrating the lake's 100th anniversary. It was formed after Rev. William and Mary Baker built at dam on Little Sugar Creek in 1915-16, according to "From Vision to Reality: A History of Bella Vista Village, 1915-1993."

The Bakers, of Bentonville, had acquired the property and dreamed of turning it into a summer resort with the lake as the focal point. But business was stagnant -- only three lots were sold in the first year -- and in 1917, the Bakers sold the resort to the Linebarger brothers, according Lucas.

Despite a lackluster return on their investments, the Bakers left a lasting legacy on Bella Vista by creating the lake and giving the resort its name.

C.A. Linebarger incorporated the lake into his resort, utilizing it as a recreational amenity. Under Linebarger's guidance, Bella Vista blossomed into a sought-after resort over the next 34 years.

Lake Bella Vista went to its third owner in 1952, when Linebarger sold the property to E.L. Keith. Keith also allowed guests to use the lake for recreation. But his tenure was short lived, and in 1963, Keith sold the property to John Cooper Sr., of Cooper Communities Inc.

Cooper ushered in the modern era of Bella Vista, but moved development further north. Lake Bella Vista fell into disuse with the advent of seven new lakes built over the next decade.

Bentonville annexed the 132-acre property in October 2005. The acreage included Lake Bella Vista and the trails around it. Bentonville's Parks and Recreation Department oversees the property.

Due to the threat of storms, the museum had to scale back some of its original plans, Lucas said. Even with minor alterations, though, Lucas said the event drew nearly 200 people.

"The celebration was made possible by donations earmarked for this event from several museum supporters, along with the help of several volunteers who came out early in the morning to transport items from the museum to the lake," Lucas said, adding that several volunteers stayed all day to greet visitors and serve cake.

"We want to thank Coca-Cola for donating soda, bottled water and ice barrels," Lucas added. "And we thank Allen's Food Market for donating the ice."

Other interactive exhibits included a digital scrapbook from Lillian Green, who was a former secretary at the resort. An amateur photographer, several of her photos have been preserved by the museum and offer insight into the early days of the resort.

Constance Waddell, who authored "Sally and Me" about her childhood in Bella Vista, also was at the event doing a book signing.

"Constance ... once she found out about this event, decided to fly in from California to do a book signing," Lucas said. "(Constance) told me at the end of the day she really enjoyed visiting with everyone and catching up on Bella Vista news."

Harter shared a similar sentiment.

"I was very impressed with the level of curiosity people had," Carole Harter, also a docent at the museum, said. "The museum is on their radar as something to seek out and enjoy. (We're) going to have some really good opportunities for talented volunteers."

Up next for the museum is the semi-annual Historic Sites Driving Tour. The event serves as a fundraiser for the museum and will start at 1 p.m. Friday, May 29, weather permitting, Lucas said.

The tour is about four hours and participants are asked to bring their own vehicles for a car caravan, Lucas said, as carpooling is encouraged. Cost is $10 per person and some walking is involved. Lucas can be reached at the museum -- 479-855-2335 -- or at 479-876-6118.

General News on 05/20/2015