About Benton County Historical Society

BCHS Repository Holdings

Subject: Repository Holding BCHS

From: Michael L. Carney, Archivist

Date: October 5, 2023

The President of the Benton County Historical Society (BCHS} is pleased to share with all researchers and the general public the holdings of the society. The growth in BCHS has been exponential over the past few years. Therefore, in an effort to inform the public, she has asked the Archivist to make a list of our holdings for publication.

Current Holdings:

The Graduation Act of 1854 List of citizens who purchased land under the act
Personal Tax Records Index listed by surname 1837 to 1899
Real Estate Tax Records Index Section Land listed by surname 1837 to 1899
Real Estate Tax Records Index Lots and Blocks 1871 to 1899
Direct and Indirect Deed Index by Surname 1900 to 1912 (In Progress)
Assessors Records Book A and Book B 1837 to 1899 by Surname, Book, and Page
Deed Records on Film Printable 1837 to 2015
Census Records 1840- 1910
Benton County Original Plats 1837 to 2015

Publications:

Original_Assessors Atlas 1903
History of Benton County by: Dickson
History of Benton County by: Horton
Goodspeed's History of Benton County 1889
History of Arkansas 1889
Arkansas Historical Quarterly to date
Obituaries of Benton County 1884 to 1933
Obituaries of Washington County 1841 to 1912
The BCHS Pioneer Vol. 1 to Vol.70
Cemetery Books 7 Vols.
Benton_ County Schools That Where by: Jines
Various News Papers 1846 to1950 on_Film

This past week, The Original Plats of Benton County 1837 to 2015, has been added to the BCHS Repository. The Plat selection covers communities, section land, and rural-urban areas.

The Personal and Real Estate Tax Records 1837 to 1899 are on disks and can be purchased for home use.

The BCHS is open from 10 a. m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. No appoint is necessary for the public to review any of the society holdings. Please feel free to drop by and allow us to assist you with your research.

Michael L. Carney

BCHS Archivist

General information

BCHS Quarterly Meetings

Quarterly Meetings are open to the public (at no cost) and are held four times a year and feature a guest speaker. These meetings are scheduled on the second Sunday of March, June, September, and December and held at the Society headquarters, 306 NW 2nd Street, Bentonville, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m unless otherwise noted. Guests are always welcome. Please call 479-273-3561 for additional information. News releases to the local media will remind everyone of forthcoming meetings and announce programs and speakers.

Our next Quarterly meeting is scheculed for Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:30.

Annual Bean Supper

Every year in October we have our Annual Bean Supper Fundraiser! $10 per dinner including the homemade cobbler. The Bean Supper starts at 4:00 PM at the Benton County Historical Society Office at 306 NW 2nd St. in Bentonville, AR and ends around 7:00. If you can’t stay, grab a to-go bag. We appreciate all of your support!

The Benton County Pioneer magazine

To make Benton County history available to its members and others who may be interested, now and in years to come, the Society publishes The Benton County Pioneer, a quarterly magazine now in its 67th year.

Within its pages, readers will find a cache of stories, photos, and accounts of earlier Benton County, genealogical information, and reports of current efforts affecting historic preservation. When you purchase a membership, you will receive The Benton County Pioneer magazine (published quarterly) as part of your membership.

The Benton County Pioneer magazine Back Issues

Back issues of The Benton County Pioneer, are offered for sale at the headquarters. Price: $5.00 each postpaid, or $1 per copied page.

Special enlarged 99-page "Civil War Centennial Issue" (Vol. 7, No. 3, of 1962) can be purchased from our headquarters, $12.00 postpaid.

Click here to download the order form.

Order Back Copys of The Pioneer

Research Records and Materials

Research records and materials of the Society include all issues of the Benton County Pioneer, early Benton County Marriage, Chattel, Land and Personal Tax Records, cemetery records, and books and publications of local family histories. These records are available to members and the public in the historical archives.

Historical Markers Program

The Society has also taken responsibility for maintaining historical markers and monuments which members helped to erect throughout Benton County. The markers permanently identify the locations of Civil War events, and other historic sites.

To help keep memories alive, BCHS offers a Self-drive Tour Guide to ten skirmish and camp sites throughout the county. (11 x 17 six-fold with jumbo maps, driving instructions and full texts, $2.00 ppd.)