January 8, 2012

The northwest Arkansas planned community of Bella Vista (Benton County) began in 1915 when William Baker developed a summer resort on land he and his wife owned. Two years later, the Bakers sold the fledgling resort to the Linebarger brothers of Dallas, Texas, who sold lots for summer homes. Shown here is a drawing of what the development was expected to become. Early success was tempered by changing vacation habits, the Great Depression, and World War II.