Editing Tontitown, Arkansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = Tontitown, Arkansas
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| image_skyline                   = 
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = 
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      = 
| image_blank_emblem              = Logo of Tontitown, Arkansas.png
| blank_emblem_type               = Logo
| image_map                       = File:Washington County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Tontitown Highlighted 0569740.svg
| mapsize                         = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location of Tontitown in Washington County, Arkansas.
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_name1               = [[Arkansas]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]]
| government_type                 = Mayor/Council
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Angela Russell
| leader_title1                   = 
| leader_name1                    = 
| established_title               = Settled
| established_date                = 1898
| established_title1              = Incorporated (city)
| established_date1               = 1909
| founder                         = [[Pietro Bandini]]
| named_for                       = [[Henri de Tonti]]
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 46.74
| area_total_sq_mi                = 18.05
| area_land_km2                   = 46.39
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 17.91
| area_water_km2                  = 0.35
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.14
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft                    = 1296
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 4301
| population_metro                = 
| population_density_km2          = 92.71
| population_density_sq_mi        = 240.13
| timezone                        = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -6
| coordinates                     = {{coord|36|09|51|N|94|14|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| timezone_DST                    = CDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 72770
| area_code                       = [[Area code 479|479]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 05-69740
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 2405595<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405595}}</ref>
| footnotes                       = 
| website                         = [http://www.tontitown.com/ Tontitown.com]
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| population_est                  = 
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''Tontitown''' is a city in northern [[Washington County, Arkansas]], United States. The community is located in the [[Ozarks|Ozark Mountains]] and was founded by [[Italian American|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 [[Commuter town|bedroom community]] for larger neighbors [[Fayetteville, Arkansas|Fayetteville]] and [[Springdale, Arkansas|Springdale]]. The town experienced a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.<ref name="eoa" />

==History==
Led by Catholic priest [[Pietro Bandini]], who eventually became mayor of the city,<ref name="giordano" /> Italian settlers working on [[Sunnyside Plantation]] in the [[Arkansas delta]] moved to northwest Arkansas and found the climate and terrain similar to their native [[Northern Italy]].<ref name="wc" >{{ cite book |title= History of Washington County, Arkansas |author= Shiloh Museum of Ozark History |author-link= Shiloh Museum of Ozark History |location= Springdale, Arkansas |publisher=Shiloh Museum of Ozark History |year=1989 |page=252 |oclc=22705892 }}</ref> Tontitown was settled in 1898 and named for Italian explorer [[Henri de Tonti]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2680|title=Tontitown (Washington County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas|website=www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net|access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>

The 35 initial families settled on {{convert|10|acre|ha}} plots, planting gardens and [[vineyard]]s. In 1909, the community incorporated,<ref name="giordano">{{Cite web|url=https://joe-giordano.com/2016/12/03/italians-in-arkansas-father-pietro-bandini-and-tontitown/|title=Italians in Arkansas: Father Pietro Bandini and Tontitown|last=Giordano|first=Joe|website=joe-giordano.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903041855/https://joe-giordano.com/2016/12/03/italians-in-arkansas-father-pietro-bandini-and-tontitown/|archive-date=September 3, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref> having grown to {{convert|1400|acre|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.<ref name="wc" />

The Tontitown grapes eventually became a major crop in Washington County following the construction of a [[Welch's|Welch Company]] plant in Springdale near the railroad. The area also grew apples, blackberries, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes for canning in Springdale.<ref>{{ cite book |title= History of Washington County, Arkansas |author= Shiloh Museum of Ozark History |location= Springdale, Arkansas |publisher=Shiloh Museum of Ozark History |year=1989 |pages=299–301 |oclc=22705892 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1910= 222
|1920= 235
|1930= 188
|1940= 189
|1950= 203
|1960= 209
|1970= 426
|1980= 615
|1990= 460
|2000= 942
|2010= 2460
|2020= 4301
|footnote=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture|Encyclopedia of Arkansas<br />History and Culture]]<ref name="eoa" >{{ Cite encyclopedia|last= Young|first= Susan|title= Tontitown (Washington County)|url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=2680|encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]]|publisher= [[Butler Center for Arkansas Studies]] at the [[Central Arkansas Library System]]|date= February 14, 2013|access-date= July 30, 2013 }}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Tontitown racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0569740&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=January 1, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 3,372
| 78.4%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 80
| 1.86%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 44
| 1.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 102
| 2.37%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 30
| 0.7%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 278
| 6.46%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 942 people in 351 households, including 273 families, in the city.  The population density was {{convert|134.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 368 housing units at an average density of {{convert|52.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 96.28% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.85% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 2.23%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

Of the 351 households 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.5% of households were one person and 9.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.07. Tontitown has seen a very rapid growth in recent years as indicated by a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

The age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males. Tonitown is part of the Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers metro area.

The median household income was $43,750 and the median family income  was $47,589. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,058.  About 4.9% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

==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.<ref name="er" >{{ cite book |title= An Ozark Culinary History |first=Erin |last=Rowe |publisher= [[Arcadia Publishing]]: The History Press: American Palate |location=Charleston, SC |year=2017 |isbn=9781467136082 |lccn= 2017940941 }}</ref>

Many original families remain in Tontitown or nearby Springdale.<ref name="er" />

==Education==
It is in the [[Springdale School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05143_washington/DC20SD_C05143.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, AR|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=May 25, 2022}}</ref>

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<!--"three years" in source text--><ref name=LeeElem>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Tiffany|url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/education/new-innovation-elementary-school-opens-to-springdale-students/527-4df1012e-86bb-4746-b500-7e814f2965cf|title=New innovation elementary school opens to Springdale students|publisher=5 News Online|date=September 29, 2021|accessdate=September 19, 2022}}</ref> In October 2020 the district began building the school,<ref name=Jessennewest>{{cite web|last=Jessen|first=Janelle|url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2022/apr/16/newest-springdale-elementary-school-dedicated-in/|title=Newest Springdale elementary school dedicated in Tontitown, named in honor of former superintendent Jim Rollins|newspaper=[[Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette]]|date=April 16, 2022|accessdate=September 19, 2022}}</ref> which opened in fall 2021, though with some construction left unfinished.<ref name=LeeElem/> The dedication occurred in 2022. The school was named after a person who served as the superintendent of the Springdale district.<ref name=Jessennewest/>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://routing.vmaxcompass.com/Infolocator/Info.aspx?OrgGuid=ORG-SPRINGDALE&ProfileGuid=|title=School Information Locator Springdale Public Schools|publisher=VMax Compass|accessdate=September 18, 2022}} - [https://www.sdale.org/page/enroll Linked from here]</ref>

Most of the community, in 2006, was zoned to Bernice Young Elementary School, with a portion zoned to Walker Elementary School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/elementary.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522061342/http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/elementary.pdf|title=Elementary School Zones|publisher=[[Springdale Public Schools]]|archive-date=May 22, 2006|accessdate=September 17, 2022}}</ref> Tontitown was divided between Hellstern and Helen Tyson middle schools,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/middle%20schools.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522061533/http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/middle%20schools.pdf|title=Middle School Zones|publisher=[[Springdale Public Schools]]|archive-date=May 22, 2006|accessdate=September 17, 2022}}</ref> and Central and Southwest junior high schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/junior%20high.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522061520/http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/junior%20high.pdf|title=Junior High School Zones|publisher=[[Springdale Public Schools]]|archive-date=May 22, 2006|accessdate=September 17, 2022}}</ref> All portions were zoned to Har-Ber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/high%20school.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522061413/http://www.sdale.org:80/Schools/Attendance%20Zones/high%20school.pdf|title=High School Zones|publisher=[[Springdale Public Schools]]|archive-date=May 22, 2006|accessdate=September 17, 2022}}</ref><!--I cannot find a saveable permalink for maps newer than 2006-->

[[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, Arkansas|Springdale]], but only demand-response service in Tontitown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ozark.org/demand-response|title=Demand Response|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Pietro Bandini]] (1852–1917), town founder and mayor
*[[Albert Lewis Fletcher]], former [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock|Roman Catholic Bishop of Little Rock]] from 1947 to 1972, resided in Tontitown during his childhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=341|title=Albert Lewis Fletcher (1896–1979) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas|website=www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net|access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>
*[[19 Kids and Counting|The Duggar family]], reality TV stars, reside in Tontitown.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Teske |first1=Anastasia |title=Duggar Family |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/duggar-family-7356/ |website=The encyclopedia of Arkansas |access-date=October 30, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[St. Joseph Catholic Church (Tontitown, Arkansas)]]
* [[Tontitown School Building]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal bar|Arkansas|Italy}}

{{wikivoyage|Tontitown}} 
*{{official website|tontitown.com}}

{{Washington County, Arkansas}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Northwest Arkansas]]
[[Category:Italian-American culture in Arkansas]]
[[Category:1898 establishments in Arkansas]]