Westside Community Guide

14 – 2023 Westside Community Guide 304 E MAIN • GENTRY (479) 736-2800 Dr. Alan L. Lamb, D.D.S. Dr. Scott Stubbs, D.D.S. Dr. Nick Dollar, D.D.S Gentry Dental associates Proud to serve our community Serving Northwest Arkansas • Stoves • Fireplaces • Inserts 1021 S. Gentry Blvd. Gentry, Ar 72734 • 479.736.3100 www.SpavinawStove.com sales@spavinawstove.com One of the incredible hidden gems of Northwest Arkansas is the town of Gentry, situated along the western border of Benton County. Gentry is home to multiple prominent businesses and is growing rapidly with the help of the community. e city offers visitors one-of-a-kind experiences, rarely found anywhere else in the state. Gentry was established in 1894 as a result of the incoming railroad system when the town became a residential and financial center for the growing fruit industry. e city was once surrounded by fruit farms, including apple orchards and small berry farms. In the early part of the 20th century, Gentry had a booming agricultural economy, but continued to develop with a canning factory, bank, three hotels, two meat markets, a newspaper, two lumber yards, and much more. Although it maintained an agriculture identity up until the late 1900s, the city has since grown from its fruit-producing days and now is home to multiple big businesses, as well as several small local businesses located in the historic downtown area. SWEPCO and McKee Foods are two of those big businesses. In the 1970s, the Southwestern Electric Power Company constructed a plant that still provides power today and SWEPCO Lake has become a popular attraction for fishing and recreation for the community and surrounding areas. McKee Foods Corporation established a manufacturing facility in the 1980s and became the city's largest employer, and still is today. Other surrounding businesses include Mid-America Cabinets, Tufco International and Simmons Prepared Foods, with a facility between Gentry and Decatur. Historic BuilDings e rich history of Gentry is preserved not only in the community, but in its structures as well. ere are multiple historic buildings throughout the town, from the Gentry Bank Building built in 1904 to the 120-year-old Gentry Public Library that began as a hardware store. e Gentry Bank Building is on Main Street and has gone through several name changes but now is the home to the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Gentry. e Gentry Public Library was remodeled in 2008 but maintained several aspects of the original structure including the original carriage elevator that is said to be the oldest elevator in Benton County. events anD aMenities In addition to Gentry Public Library, the city offers many amenities to its residents, including the Gentry Senior Activity Center, Gentry City Park, Flint Creek Nature Area, and Eagle Watch Nature Park and Trail. Among the new additions to the city are the Gentry Sports Complex and Gentry Splash Pad located in Gentry City Park. roughout the local parks are soccer fields, baseball and soball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, Top Spin courts, walking and bike trails, gathering spaces, a festival stage, parking concession areas, and much more for every member of the family to enjoy. ere are several community events throughout the year that attract not only residents but people from all over the area, including the annual Freedom Fest, Bicycle Glow Ride, car show, Easter egg hunt, Trick or Treat on Main Street, and Pickin' Time on 59. scHools Gentry School District is home to the Pioneers and boasts an enrollment rate of more than 1,400 students among the four schools. In addition to Gentry Public Schools, there are two private schools in the area, Ozark Academy and Gentry Mennonite School. Students from surrounding communities also attend Gentry Schools, which aims to work with the community in providing safe and successful educational experiences for each student. Gentry began as an agricultural hub for locals and has been steadily progressing ever since to become an integral part of the Northwest Arkansas area. e city is consistently working to provide for the residents, as well as attract visitors to their remarkable town. e city maintains, "As a community, Gentry celebrates its past, looks forward to its future and believes the best is yet to be!" ■ GENTRY: our roots run deep

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