Bella Vista City Guide

By Xyta Lucas Bella Vista Historical Society Before John Cooper began buying farmland to build the retirement community that would later become the City of Bella Vista, the area consisted of five historic communities. Each one had a community center that served as both their church and their school. ree of those five buildings are still standing…Dug Hill, Miller, and New Home. A foundation is all that remains of a fourth one, called Summit, off Granshire and Aveton in the Metfield area. A fih one, Rocky Comfort, was on the site now occupied by the Judson American Baptist Church on Forest Hills Blvd. Christmas was celebrated in each of the five communities with a program called "e Christmas Tree." According to Virginia Squires, who grew up in the Dug Hill Community and shared a lot of her childhood memories before she passed away in 2017, the Dug Hill Christmas Tree was always held on Christmas Eve. She said, "Each fall, Dug Hill would hold a pie supper to raise money for the school and for Christmas. Money not needed for the school was to be spent on the treats handed out at e Christmas Tree. Everyone, adults and children, received a bag of treats, which held an apple, an orange, hard candy, and chocolate candy." In 1945, the rural schools were consolidated into the Bentonville District. By the late 1950's, the five communities were losing their separate identities. e last Christmas Tree was held at Dug Hill in the late 1950's, and none of the five communities continued the programs much longer. By then, the schools had been consolidated for over ten years. Many farmers had begun to leave, aer selling their farms to buyers from outside the area. e rumor was that someone was buying up all the property for a large cattle operation. What else could anyone possibly do with all these hills and valleys? ● Three community centers from rural days still standing New Home Church, left, stands on Peach Orchard Road just west of Lowe's. Miller Church, right, can be reached by taking either Prescot or Arthur off Chelsea to the intersection of Miller Church Road and Punkin Hollow Road. Photos courtesy Bella Vista Historical Society The farm communities of Bella Vista Dug Hill Church is on the hill overlooking Highway 71 on the southeast side of Town Center. 54 – 2019 Bella Vista City Guide

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