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Things to do in Bentonville
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Peel Mansion and Historic Gardens
Colonel Samuel West Peel
constructed a magnificent villa tower Italianate mansion on 180
acres of apple orchards near Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1875. The
colonel was a Confederate soldier, and the first native
representative of Arkansas, as well as a businessman and Indian
agent. His wife, Mary Emaline Berry Peel and he were able to
raise nine children here; while serving his state and tending
his orchard. The house was constructed with distinctive
materials that were found around his area; the yellow pine
timbers, brick for the walls, then stuccoed on the outside. A
local stone cutter and mason was employed to create the stone
sills and the lintels, which were intricately carved. The
balustrade stairway was made of turned walnut, and the front
hall used exotic pine grained panels that were hard to find in
that area. In other parts of the interior, Greek Revival molded
trim was used for the parlor room and a very rare Anglo-Japanese
mantle in the library. The house used kerosene for lighting in
the lamps and chandeliers, with much of the original wicks,
chimneys and globes still visible. The furnishings of this
Victorian interior are wonderfully matched and rugs and
coverlets accessorize perfectly. Other gorgeous antiquities have
been moved here from the Historic Arkansas Museum and Old State
House to finish off the details of the home. The beautiful
gardens that are entwined with the walkways and grand shade
trees have been replicated by use of descendants of the early
settlers that created their flower gardens here, and much
research has been done by various agencies to make sure that the
entire property is representative of that period in Arkansas
history. The 1845 Jacob Smith Nursery in Fayetteville was used
as a documentary source to make sure that all the shrubs,
plants, trees and flowers were originally found in the grounds
of the state's gardens. Inside the mansion, other historical
agencies have set up offices that include the Benton County
Preservation Project, that helps other historical homes in the
state, as well as their owners; the Benton County Historical
Society and the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society that
helps people from all over the country research their ancestry.
Another delight at the historical farm is the addition of an
authentic log cabin that was built before the Civil War and
moved from Brightwater, Arkansas to this site. Now it is used as
the gatehouse and a gift shop; where over the course of the
year, people search for authentic quilts, furniture, glass,
porcelain and other collectibles that can be brought here to be
sold for the continued funding of this grand old farm.
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Beaver Lake
Finished in 1966, the region
known as Beaver Lake covers over 28,000 acres of magnificent and
beautiful landscaping with austere woods that ring the lake
creating over 487 miles of protected shoreline all sitting in
the majestic Ozarks Mountains. With grand limestone bluffs and
miles of pristine trails, the area has become famous for its
numerous recreational opportunities that include; swimming,
boating, canoeing, camping, rental cabins, parks and picnicking
areas. The incredible White River begins here on its wayward
journey to the mighty Mississippi and ever southward to the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The area is unbelievable in the
most gorgeous views and scenery, around the lake and along the
river. The roads throughout the park area have been paved, and
meander around 12 parks that have been developed. Within this
awesome area are 650 campsites sitting on over 2000 acres of
perfect camping facilities. They include electricity,
fire-rings, showers, water, and of course, the main concern,
bathrooms. Everywhere you look or wander are glorious trails
that will take you into another world that was once traveled by
Native Americans and settlers looking for that perfect place to
start life over or to begin it. There are plenty of marinas and
outfitters; as well as cabins, lodges and resorts depending upon
your idea of roughing it. The fishing has brought the best
anglers in the nation to vie for the smallmouth bass, largemouth
bass, striper bass, crappie, channel and spoonbill catfish,
bream and white bass. Along the White there have been record
size trout caught, both brown and rainbow. Beaver Lake has
surrendered some 40 pound stripers and they are always around
some areas. The White River and War Eagle join and enter the
upper area of the Beaver, and this is one of the hottest places
to cast your line or fly and pull in some real fish; this is not
a place that you will leave with only tales of the big one that
got away, you will have it in your hand. In November, both the
fall striped and hybrid striped bass will hit those lines like
you thought it was a whale, and they have great flat bottomed
boats with cushy seats for you to rent and take out into the
lake to catch some fantastic monsters. The average depth is
about 65 feet in the main channel, but there is some shallow
areas in the middle that also will make for sure great fishing.
The entire region is growing into one of the best fishing areas
in the nation and soon there won't be a lot of room for those of
us waiting for a chance to swing over. It is a great place for
all kinds of activities and for even just relaxing. The views,
the scenery, the opportunities abound and will fill you with
such a wonder that you will make this area one of the main
vacation spots in the country. The area has some great cabins
that will blow you away with all the amenities that accompany
the cabins. Many include Jacuzzis, 42 inch HD panel TVs, wifi,
private decks, pillow top mattresses, floating picnic and swim
deck, even one had an indoor heated fishing room with
complimentary bait included; with free paddle boat, boat slips
and pontoon rentals if you want to float away on Beaver Lake.
The place is superb, the cabins can be lavish and the whole
experience will be way more than you could ever have imagined.
Hey, you only come this way once and you deserve a fantastic
experience at least once in your lifetime, and your family is
well worth it too.
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