1909Government
The area was established as a primitive summer resort in 1909 by a Bentonville minister who envisioned golf, tennis, and inexpensive lots for summer cabins.
1915Infrastructure
In 1915, Lake Bella Vista was created by damming Little Sugar Creek.
1916Sports
By 1916, the resort was sold to the Linebarger Brothers Realty Company, who further developed the resort to include more amenities, including the Sunset Hotel and Wonderland Cav...
1917Government
The community has taken advantage of the natural setting within the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains since first established in 1917 as a summer resort destination.
1965Government
Bella Vista became a retirement community in 1965, and, after much contention and a 2006 vote of its property owners, became an incorporated city.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2000 census, there were 16,582 people, 7,818 households, and 6,004 families residing in the CDP.
2006Government
Residents voted to incorporate in 2006, supplanting the POA with municipal government for most essential services.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the 2010 census, there were 26,461 people, 12,986 households, and _ families residing in the city.
2018Disaster
==== Stump Dump Fire of 2018 ====
A dump site had begun an underground fire in August 2018.
2019Disaster
The Bella Vista POA took over this project in early May 2019 and had the fire extinguished in less than 30 days.
2020History
=== 2020 census ===
As of the 2020 census, there were 30,104 people, 12,986 households, and 9,373 families residing in the city.
2021Architecture
=== Transportation ===
The final segment of Interstate 49 (I-49)was completed around Bella Vista in 2021.
2023History
== Demographics ==
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 12,894 estimated households in Bella Vista with an average of 2.39 persons per household.