Tontitown, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tontitown, Arkansas
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Location of Tontitown in Washington County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Washington |
| Settled | 1898 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1909 |
| Founded by | Pietro Bandini |
| Named for | Henri de Tonti |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor/Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 18.05 sq mi (46.74 km2) |
| • Land | 17.91 sq mi (46.39 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.35 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,296 ft (395 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,301 |
| • Density | 240.13/sq mi (92.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72770
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| Area code(s) | 479 |
| FIPS code | 05-69740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405595 |
| Website | Tontitown.com |
Tontitown is a city in northern Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The community is located in the Ozark Mountains and was founded by Italian settlers in 1898. Known for its grapes and wines, Tontitown has hosted the Tontitown Grape Festival continuously since 1898. It is part of the Northwest Arkansas region, serving as a bedroom community for larger neighbors Fayetteville and Springdale. The town experienced a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.
Contents
History
Led by Catholic priest Pietro Bandini, who eventually became mayor of the city, Italian settlers working on Lakeport Plantation in the Arkansas delta moved to northwest Arkansas and found the climate and terrain similar to their native Northern Italy. Tontitown was settled in 1898 and named for Italian explorer Henri de Tonti.
The 35 initial families settled on 10 acres (4.0 ha) plots, planting gardens and vineyards. In 1909, the community incorporated, having grown to 1,400 acres (570 ha). Some residents resisted and resented the Italian influx, which largely spoke Italian and remained insulated. After threats and arson of barns and the school, Bandini confronted a group to stop the terrorization of the nascent Tontitown community.
The Tontitown grapes eventually became a major crop in Washington County following the construction of a Welch Company plant in Springdale near the railroad. The area also grew apples, blackberries, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes for canning in Springdale.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 222 | — | |
| 1920 | 235 | 5.9% | |
| 1930 | 188 | −20.0% | |
| 1940 | 189 | 0.5% | |
| 1950 | 203 | 7.4% | |
| 1960 | 209 | 3.0% | |
| 1970 | 426 | 103.8% | |
| 1980 | 615 | 44.4% | |
| 1990 | 460 | −25.2% | |
| 2000 | 942 | 104.8% | |
| 2010 | 2,460 | 161.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,301 | 74.8% | |
| Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture |
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2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,372 | 78.4% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 80 | 1.86% |
| Native American | 44 | 1.02% |
| Asian | 102 | 2.37% |
| Pacific Islander | 30 | 0.7% |
| Other/Mixed | 278 | 6.46% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 395 | 9.18% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,301 people, 1,399 households, and 1,060 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census the ethnic and racial composition of the population was 92.0% non-Hispanic white, 0.3% African-American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 2.4% reporting two or more races and 5.7% Hispanic.
Culture
The city is known regionally for the Tontitown Grape Festival. Started in 1898 as a harvest festival to celebrate the settlement's establishment, a spaghetti and fried chicken dinner continues the tradition.
Many original families remain in Tontitown or nearby Springdale.
Education
It is in the Springdale School District.
Jim Rollins Elementary School a.k.a. Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation, a part of the Springdale district, is in Tontitown. It uses an open classroom instructional model from New Zealand. Planning for the school began circa 2018 In October 2020 the district began building the school, which opened in fall 2021, though with some construction left unfinished. The dedication occurred in 2022. The school was named after a person who served as the superintendent of the Springdale district.
In 2022 much of Tontitown is zoned to Jim D. Rollins Elementary in Tontitown (areas south of 412) and Shaw Elementary School in Springdale (areas north of 412), with some areas in the east zoned to Bernice Young Elementary School. All of Tontitown is zoned to Hellstern Middle School, Central Junior High School, and Har-Ber High School, all in Springdale.
Most of the community, in 2006, was zoned to Bernice Young Elementary School, with a portion zoned to Walker Elementary School. Tontitown was divided between Hellstern and Helen Tyson middle schools, and Central and Southwest junior high schools. All portions were zoned to Har-Ber.
Ozark Catholic Academy, a Roman Catholic high school, is in Tontitown.
Transportation
As of 2023, there is no fixed route transit service in Tontitown. Ozark Regional Transit operates bus services nearby in Springdale, but only demand-response service in Tontitown.
Notable people
- Pietro Bandini (1852–1917), town founder and mayor
- Albert Lewis Fletcher, former Roman Catholic Bishop of Little Rock from 1947 to 1972, resided in Tontitown during his childhood.
- The Duggar family, reality TV stars, reside in Tontitown.
See also
In Spanish: Tontitown (Arkansas) para niños
