Tontitown, Arkansas
Tontitown is a city of 6,425 people in Washington County, Arkansas, founded in 1898.
Why visit Tontitown
Townapedia lists 8 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 37 places to eat, 10 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Osage Creek Bridge, Johnson House and Mill, Johnson Switch Building and Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 89°F; January lows average 27°F.
Weather in Tontitown
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Tontitown
Tontitown is a city in northern Washington County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, Tontitown had a population of 4,301. The community is located in the Ozark Mountains and was founded by Italian settlers in 1898. Known for its grapes and wines, Tontitown has hosted the Tontitown Grape Festival continuously since 1898.
From the Wikipedia article Tontitown, Arkansas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Osage Creek Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Museums and landmarks8
Johnson House and Mill
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.1 mi
Historic house in Arkansas, United States
Johnson Switch Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Commercial building in Johnson, Arkansas
Rabbits Foot Lodge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Historic house in Arkansas, United States
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Church building in Arkansas, United States of America
Tontitown School Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
School building in Arkansas, United States of America
Tontitown Historical Museum
Museum · 0.8 mi
251 East Henri de Tonti Boulevard, Springdale
Parks, trails and playgrounds9
Steele-Stevens Heritage Park
Park · 2.7 mi
Park with picnic table and interpretive signs surrounding the city's namesake spring that flows year-round.
Restaurants and cafes37
Cracker Barrel
Diner · American · 3.2 mi
1022 South 48th Street, Springdale
Su-Th 06:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-23:00
Jose's Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.5 mi
1032 East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00; Tu-Fr 11:00-21:00
MarketPlace Grill
Restaurant · Regional · 3.2 mi
1636 South 48th Street, Springdale
11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-21:30
Venesian Inn
Restaurant · Italian · 0.7 mi
582 West Henri de Tonti Boulevard, Tontitown
Tu-Sa 11:00-20:00
Mama Z's Cafe
Restaurant · Italian, Breakfast · 0.6 mi
357 West Henri de Tonti Boulevard, Springdale
Tu-Sa 07:00-14:00,17:00-21:00
Las Palmas
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.6 mi
1115 East Henri de Tonti Boulevard, Springdale
7 Brew Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.7 mi
1359 East Henri de Tonti Boulevard, Springdale
25 more on the map.
History
Led by Catholic priest Pietro Bandini, who eventually became mayor of the city, 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. Tontitown was settled in 1898 and named for Italian explorer Henri de Tonti.
The 35 initial families settled on 10 acres (4.0 ha) plots, planting gardens and vineyards. In 1909, the community incorporated, having grown to 1,400 acres (570 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.
The Tontitown grapes eventually became a major crop in Washington County following the construction of a Welch Company plant in Springdale near the railroad. The area also grew apples, blackberries, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes for canning in Springdale.
From the History section of Tontitown, Arkansas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay10
Sleep Inn & Suites Springdale West
Motel and hotel · 3.6 mi
1056 Rieff Street, Springdale
Churches and places of worship15
Grace Covenant Reformed Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 1.7 mi
2379 South Barrington Road, Tontitown
Faith Regular Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 3.4 mi
217 South Elm Springs Road, Springdale
Shopping7
Country Classic Antiques & Collectables
Shop · 1.2 mi
145 Industrial Circle West, Springdale
Gas and EV charging8
Schools, colleges and libraries21
Jim D Rollins Elementary School of Innovation
School · 0.5 mi
354 E Fletcher Avenue, Springdale
Healthcare4
Center for Children's Health and Wellness
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.9 mi
2575 Gene George Boulevard, Springdale
Map of Tontitown
120 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F | 27°F | 2.6 in |
| Feb | 51°F | 30°F | 2.3 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 38°F | 3.7 in |
| Apr | 69°F | 47°F | 4.5 in |
| May | 76°F | 56°F | 6.0 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 66°F | 4.7 in |
| Jul | 89°F | 69°F | 3.6 in |
| Aug | 89°F | 68°F | 3.4 in |
| Sep | 81°F | 60°F | 4.5 in |
| Oct | 71°F | 48°F | 4.0 in |
| Nov | 59°F | 38°F | 4.0 in |
| Dec | 50°F | 30°F | 2.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Fayetteville Exp Stn Hcn (6 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Washington County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2025-04-05: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2020-08-27: Hurricane Laura (Hurricane)
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-09-13: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Springdale Municipal Airport (SPZ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 7 miles away.
- Elm Springs 3 mi north, about 4 min by car
- Johnson 4 mi southeast, about 7 min by car
- Springdale 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Cave Springs 7 mi north, about 12 min by car
- Fayetteville 8 mi southeast, about 13 min by car
- Lowell 8 mi northeast, about 13 min by car
- Farmington 9 mi south, about 15 min by car
- Highfill 9 mi northwest, about 14 min by car
- Rogers 12 mi northeast, about 19 min by car
- Bentonville 13 mi north, about 21 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Bersi grave, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Graves, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Side view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Rear corner view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- View of rows of graves, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Rear view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Plaque, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Oblique view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Interesting markers, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Two markers, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Two styles of crosses, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Frontal view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Gate, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Varying styles of carving, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Corner view at back, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Two crosses, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Gate, reverse view, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Second side view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Elaborate metal marker, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Murray marker, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Graves in various styles, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Side corner view, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Closeup of cross, memorial to Pietro Bandini, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Cenotaph, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Family tree on gravestone, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Rows of markers, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Statue of St. Joseph and columbarium, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Elaborate metalwork, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Number 3 marker, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Letter A marker, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Roadway, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Corner of the curb, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Stones, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Overview, St. Joseph Cemetery, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- New church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Tontitown City Hall (cropped), Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Tontitown City Hall, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Full view of tower of former church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Vertical view of tower of former church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tontitown, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, CC0
- Tontitown School Building, Valis55, CC BY-SA 3.0
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