113/115 N.E 2nd St. - In the early 1880s this side of the square was completely destroyed by fire except for the building on the far west end at 101 NE 2nd street. By 1892, new structures were built in place of the buildings destroyed by the fire. The new buildings housed the town's opera house and Dyers Brothers dry goods store.
The Opera House offered Chautauqua assemblies which were part of an adult education movement during that period. They brought entertainment and culture to the whole community with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers, and specialists of the day.
By 1919, part of the building was occupied by the OK Cash Store.
During World War I, the 142nd Artillery drilled in the upstairs of this building. The address in 1919 was 14 W. 11th St., and the streets were later renamed and renumbered.
In the late 1920s, the Royal Theatre was located in the old Opera House building. It later became the Park Theater and was owned by J.T. Hitt. It remained a theater from 1922 until 1962 when the building was torn down and the Bank of Bentonville was constructed on this site.
In 1961 Sam Walton had purchased controlling interest in the bank.
At some time this building has also been home to the Ozark Trail Garage owned by E. J. Pace, Ho Hawk Dance Club and the Kirkpatrick Realty Company. Overstreet Jewelry was at one time located here prior to its current location.
The majority of the north side of the Bentonville square was modernized in the 1980's to replicate historical buildings that had been at those locations.
The Opera House offered Chautauqua assemblies which were part of an adult education movement during that period. They brought entertainment and culture to the whole community with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers, and specialists of the day.
By 1919, part of the building was occupied by the OK Cash Store.
During World War I, the 142nd Artillery drilled in the upstairs of this building. The address in 1919 was 14 W. 11th St., and the streets were later renamed and renumbered.
In the late 1920s, the Royal Theatre was located in the old Opera House building. It later became the Park Theater and was owned by J.T. Hitt. It remained a theater from 1922 until 1962 when the building was torn down and the Bank of Bentonville was constructed on this site.
In 1961 Sam Walton had purchased controlling interest in the bank.
At some time this building has also been home to the Ozark Trail Garage owned by E. J. Pace, Ho Hawk Dance Club and the Kirkpatrick Realty Company. Overstreet Jewelry was at one time located here prior to its current location.
The majority of the north side of the Bentonville square was modernized in the 1980's to replicate historical buildings that had been at those locations.
In front of the old opera house is the Stevenson Hose Company along with Alex Black's First Regiment Band
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General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church from about 1885
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Image from the 1958 turkey races with the Park Theater in the background
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