Sunday, August 25, 2013

Tontitown, AR

Tontitown is a city in Washington County, Arkansas. The community is located in the Ozark Mountains and was founded by Italian immigrants in 1898. Famous for its grapes and wines, Tontitown has hosted the Tontitown Grape Festival continuously since 1898. No longer reliant upon an agricultural economy, today the community relies on its proximity to the growing Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area, serving as a bedroom community for larger neighbors Fayetteville and Springdale.

Although able to retain its Italian American heritage, Tontitown has seen rapid growth in recent years as indicated by a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

History

Lead by Catholic priest Pietro Bandini, Italian immigrants working on Lakeport Plantation in the Arkansas delta moved to northwest Arkansas and found the climate and terrain similar to their native Italy. Tontitown was founded in 1898 and named for Henri de Tonti.

Famous residents

  • Albert Lewis Fletcher, former Roman Catholic Bishop of Little Rock from 1947-1972, resided in Tontitown during his childhood.
  • Jerry E. Hinshaw, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996, resided in Tontitown.
External Links

19 Kids and Counting.
Henri de Tonti
Lakeport Plantation
Ozark Mountains
Italian immigrants
Washington County

Source: Internet

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