In Bentonville, two historic houses are set to be demolished.



Now, community members are coming together to preserve the city’s history.



The two homes set to be torn down are located on West Central near F Street in downtown Bentonville; and both are rich in history.



“There’s a lot of history, it’s probably the second most historical house in Bentonville,” Randy Mccrory, Benton County Historian said.



703 W Central in Bentonville is the childhood home of famous female aviation pilot, Louise Thadden.



“One point in time she held the record for duration, altitude and speed for a woman in the United States. She was the only woman ever to hold all those three records at the same time,” Mccrory said.



703’s Victorian neighbor, 701 was part of a church for many years.



“It was the Central Baptist Church. There’s been many many people, family members who have been married in this church and baptized,” Mccrory said.



Mccrory said he believes both houses were built in the 1880s.

So, some of the local advocates against the demolishing of theses houses say these homes stand as an example of Bentonville’s history being erased.



“Homes here today and gone tomorrow, that’s changing the landscape of Bentonville and that’s erasing Bentonville history that again some longtime natives or generations to come in the town are never going to be able to know about that history,” Cherie Clark, longtime Bentonville resident said.



The City Planning Commision said the demolition permits for the homes have been purchased by Mark Smith construction and approved.



While we weren’t able to determine the future of the properties from the builder. Their history made an impact.



“We need to be as a community more passionate about preserving out history, at least getting it recorded and documented,” Clark said.



Jim Grider who is on the Planning Commission said he believes the properties were purchased by a private party who will more than likely build new residential property or properties.

