Bella Vista originated in 1915 when Reverend William Baker and his wife Mary Baker decided to convert their property about 4 miles north of Bentonville, Ar. into a resort.  During 1915-16, they subdivided some of the land and built a lake by constructing a dam across Sugar Creek.  The wife of George Crowder of Bentonville came up with the name, Bella Vista.  The Bakers attempted to market the land with limited success and in early 1917, they sold Bella Vista Resort to the Brothers Linebarger of Dallas, TX.

FW Linebarger began developing the resort by subdividing additional land & building facilities to attract tourists and vacationers to the area.  In April 1917 he constructed a pavilion near Bella Vista Lake along with a lodge and a dining hall on the hill east of the dam.  Bella Vista Reort originally opened on June 20, 1917.  The Linebargers built a 9-hole golf course and a large swimming pool in 1924.  Business flourished during the 1920's as more and more people came to Bella Vista to enjoy all the area had to offer.  In 1929 they upraded Bella Vista by building the Sunset Hotel, one of the finest hotels in the entire area.  In 1930, the Linebargers converted Wonderland Cave into a premier nightclub.  However, changing tastes, prohibition, the Great Depression and WWII combine took its toll in Bella Vista as it did nationwide.  in 1952 CA Linebarger, the brother in charge, sold Bella Vista Resort to E.L. Keith.

E.L. Keith, also a Texan had moved to Cave Springs, refurbished Bella Vista Resort and made it more family friendly.  He changed roller skating to dancing at the pavilion, fixed the swimming pool, deepened Lake Bella Vista, and also had trail rides with horses.  Keith also opened a motel and opened a restaurant.

Keith was having tremendous success restoring the resort, and was made an offer he couldn't refuse.  John Cooper purchased over 14,000 acres of land surrounding Bella Vista Resort by 1964.  Finally, in 1964, Cooper bought out Keith, encompassing the land Bella Vista contains today.  John Cooper was taking Bella Vista in a new direction once again.

Cooper planned to build modern facilities for members.  Between 1968 & 1989 the Cooper Community, known as Cooper Communities after 1971, built seven golf courses total, seven lakes, 4 major club houses and many other amenities.   

Today, Bella Vista important part of the country's third fastest growing county, Benton County.  Bentonville, five miles south of Bella Vista, is the headquarters of the world's largest retailer  - Walmart.  People are moving to this corner of Northwest Arkansas from every corner of the world.  Today, Bella Vista is growing and expanding at its fastest clip in its history.