Benton County is located in the northwest corner of Arkansas; Benton County borders Missouri and Oklahoma and is part of the Ozark Plateau. The county has grown from a Native American hunting ground and a timberland and fruit resource to one of the fastest-growing and most economically vibrant counties in the country. The last few decades of the twentieth century brought rapid growth and a booming economy to Benton County. Between 1990 and 2000, the countys population grew fifty-seven percent. Also boosting the countys economy is Wal-Mart Stores Inc., headquartered in Bentonville. As the worlds top retailer, it is not only the countys but the worlds largest employer. Supporting their Wal-Mart accounts, many large and small businesses have moved in, bringing thousands of new residents from across the country. Other top employers in the county include J. B. Hunt Transport, Arvest Bank Group, McKee Foods, Peterson Farms, Simmons Foods, Franklin Electric Company, Gates Rubber Company, and La-Z-Boy. As was the case throughout the US, the history of Bella Vista, Arkansas begins with the Native Americans who lived and hunted here in the Ozarks. Artifacts have been found throughout the area, many of which are on display at the Bella Vista, Museum located at the bottom of Kingsland Road on 71 highway. Arkansas, in it's entirety, was part of the Louisiana Purchase arranged by then president, Thomas Jefferson, with the French, who laid claim to the lands. After the purchase, settlers began migrating from the east and settling in the area. Arkansas became the 25th state of the United States on June 15, 1836. Those same OZARK hills that made farming and getting around difficult, however, allowed for lush forests and beautiful scenery, which did not go unnoticed. Although the new owners had come from Dallas, where they lived and worked, they had actually grown up in Northwest Arkansas. With the purchase of the Bella Vista resort, The Linebarger Brothers were coming home! The brothers were successful real estate developers in Texas, having built and developed the town of Tomball, Texas. Forest W., Clayton C., and Clarence A. Linebarger were ready for a new venture and Bella Vista was right up their Alley!