Historic Newspapers
Old newspapers can provide genealogy researchers with a wealth of information. In addition to obituaries, we may find marriage and birth notices, legal and personal notices, military news, local news and gossip. Local news may include notes of the illnesses of family members, visits to and by relatives, voter and jury lists, school and social events, church and fraternal organization functions, and political meetings.
Many issues of old Benton County newspapers have been microfilmed and are available at the University of Arkansas Library at Fayetteville. This is a list of the microfilmed holdings available for research. It is arranged chronologically by town. See the University of Arkansas Libraries/Special Collections webpage for information on hours of operation, etc.
Researched and compiled by Stacey Davis, 2004
Bella Vista
- Bella Vista Breezes
- Publication date: Vol. 1, No. 1, 5 Jul 1923
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: O. D. Stiles
- Frequency: Semiweekly July-Aug. 1923-1924,
Semiweekly June-Aug. 1926-1929
- Call Number: F419.B4 B4
- Library Holdings: 1923:7:5-8:24; 1924:7:5-15, 7:18-8:12, 8:19-29; 1926:6:1-4; 1928:6:1-7:27, 8:3-31; 1929:7:16; 1930:5:30; 1940:6:25
- Bella Vista News
- Publication date: Vol. 1, No. 1 June 6, 1928
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Benton County Herald
- Frequency: Semiweekly
- Call Number: F419.B4 B46
- Library Holdings: 1928:6:6-7:4, 7:14, 7:28-8:1, 8:8-15, 8:22-9:1; 1932:6:21
- The Vista
- Publication date: Began in 1965. Ceased in 1965.
- Publisher: Bella Vista, AR: Cherokee Village Pub. Co.
- Continued by: The Village Vista
- Call Number: F419.B4 V5
- Library Holdings: 1965:7:4
- The Village Vista
- Publication date: Began in 1965, v.11, no.14 July 14, 1976
- Publisher: Bella Vista, AR: Cherokee Village Pub. Co.
- Frequency: Frequency varies. Semimonthly Oct 1975-July 14, 1976
- Continues: Vista
- Continued by: Weekly Vista
- Call Number: F419.B4 V5
- Library Holdings: 1965:9, 11; 1966:1-8, 10-12; 1967:1-4, 6-12; 1968:1-4, 6-12; 1969:1-1973:4; 1973:5-7, 9-12; 1974:1-1976:7:14>
- Notes: Numbering is irregular
- The Weekly Vista
- Publication date: Vol. 11, no. 15 Aug. 3, 1976 -- v. 12, no. 12 Mar. 22, 1977
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Village Publications
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: The Village Vista
- Continued by: Vista
- Call Number: F419.B4 V5
- Library Holdings: 1976:8:3-1977:3:22
- Vista
- Publication date: Vol. 12, no. 13 Mar. 29, 1977 -- v. 13 no. 17 May 2, 1978
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Village Publications
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Bentonville, AR: The Weekly Vista 1976)
- Continued by: Bentonville, AR: The Weekly Vista 1978
- Call Number: F419.B4 V5
- Library Holdings: 1977:3:29-1978:5:2
- The Weekly Vista
- Publication date: Vol. 13, no. 18 May 9, 1978
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Village Publications
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Vista
- Call Number: F419.B4 V5
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm=1978:5:9-1985:11:13; 1987:1:7-2:18, 3:11, 4:22, 6:3-17, 7:1, 7:15-8:19; 1987:9:9-1990:10:24
- Notes: Published in Bella Vista, AR: Community Publishers, Inc., Sept. 25, 1979
Bentonville
- The Traveler
- Publication date: Began with May 21, 1869 issue? Ceased in 1870?
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Alick Caraloff
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: Film 839 Addendum 2
- Library Holdings: 1869:6:11
- The Weekly Advance
- Publication date: Began in 1873
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Robt. S. Hynes
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F417.B4 M5
- Library Holdings: Microfilm= 1874:5:23; 1878:8:17; 1880:5:13; 1883:6:9>; For June 9, 1883, see Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1; SPEC COLL also has 1878:8:3
- The New Bentonian
- Publication date: Began in 1881. Ceased in 1883?
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Ed. Porter Thompson
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: Film 839 Addendum 5 Reel 1
- Library Holdings: 1882:2:22
- Notes: Microfilmed from original in Washington County Historical Society.
- Benton County Democrat
- Publication date: 1886 -- v. 42, no. 30 July 26, 1927
- Publisher: Bentonville, AR: Henry A. Cook
- Frequency: Weekly
- Absorbed: Bentonville Daily
- Continued by: Benton County Record and the Benton County Sun (Bentonville, AR: 1921); Record and Democrat and the Benton County Sun
- Location: Film 355 Reel 1-6
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. For May 25, 1889 and June 11, 1896, see Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1. Microfilm= 1888:1:7-12:29; 1889:5:25; 1890:1:3-1901:12:26; 19903:1:1-1915:12:30; 19916:6:8; 19924:2:14, 4:3, 11:20-27, 12:11; 19925:1:1-1927:7:26
- Notes: Absorbed Bentonville Daily, and was subsequently issued also in daily edition: Daily Democrat (Bentonville, AR, May 2-July 30, 1921
Cherokee City
- Cherokee City Advance
- Publication date: 1894 -- v. 1, no. 41 July 19, 1895
- Publisher: Cherokee City, Benton County, AR: A.B. Collins
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: The Decatur Advance
- Call Number: F419.C39 C4
- Library Holdings: 1894:10:26-11:9, 11:30-12:28; 1895:1:4-4:19, 5:3,17-24, 7:19
- Alternate titles: Cherokee Advance, Advance Echo
Decatur
- The Decatur Advance
- Publication dates: Vol. 1, no. 42 July 26, 1895 -- Ceased in May, 1897
- Publisher: Decatur, AR: Arthur Tallman
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Cherokee City Advance
- Continued by: Gentry Journal, Gentry AR: 1894; Journal-Advance, Gentry, AR: 1897
- Call Number: F419.C39 C4
- Library Holdings: 1895:7:26; 1896:9:18; 1896:10:9-11:27; 1897:1:1-29, 2:12-4:30
- The Decatur Herald
- Publication date: Began in 1910
- Publisher: Decatur AR: J.L. Buckner
- Frequency: Weekly
- Absorbed by: Journal-Advance and Benton County Gazette
- Call Number: F417.B4 M5
- Library Holdings: For May 4, 1917, see Film 839, Addendum 5, Reel 1. Microfilm= 1917:5:4; 19939:6:16
Gentry
- Gentry Journal
- Publication date: 1894 -- v. 3, no. 21 May 14, 1897
- Publisher: Gentry, AR: D.L. Kost, J.G. Bennett
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Decatur Advance; Journal-Advance, Gentry, AR: 1897)
- Call Number: F419.G45 G45
- Library Holdings: 1896:1:3-12:11; 1897:1:8-5:14
- Journal Advance
- Publication date: Vol. 3, no. 22 May 21, 1897 -- v. 17, no. 1 Nov. 18, 1910
- Publisher: Gentry, AR: M.G. Bennett, Arthur Tallman
- Frequency: Weekly
- Unites: Gentry Journal, Gentry, AR: 1894; Decatur Advance
- Continued by: Gentry Index; Journal-Advance and Gentry Index
- Call Number: F419.G45 G4
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1897:5:21-1910:11:18
- Notes: For a brief period Gentry adopted the name "Orchard," and issues for Nov. 5, 1897 thru Mar. 30, 1900 bear this name as the place of publication.
Merged with: Gentry Index (non-extant), to form Journal-Advance and Gentry Index
- Gentry Index
- No issues of this paper survive. Merged with the Journal-Advance in 1910.
- Journal Advance and Gentry Index
- Publication date: Vol. 17, no. 2 (Nov. 25, 1910) - v. 28, no. 33 (June 30, 1922)
- Publisher: Gentry, Benton County, AR: Arthur Tallman Co.
- Frequency: Weekly
- Unites: Gentry Index; Journal-Advance (Gentry, AR: 1897)
- Continued by: Journal-Advance (Gentry, AR: 1922)
- Call Number: F419.G45 G45
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1910:11:25-1911:11:10; 19911:12:22-29; 19912:1:5-1920:12:31; 19921:1:7,14, 3:18, 4:1-12:30; 19922:1:13-6:30
- Notes: Title varies slightly: Journal Advance and Gentry Index,
Journal-Advance, Journal Advance
- Journal Advance
- Publication date: Vol. 28, no. 34; July 7, 1922 -- v. 34, no. 3; Jan. 19, 1928
- Publisher: Gentry, AR: M.V. Crockett Co.
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Journal-Advance and Gentry Index
- Continued by: Benton County Gazette; Journal Advance and Benton County Gazette
- Call Number: F419.G45 G45
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1922:7:7-1928:1:19
- Journal-Advance and Benton County Gazette
- Publication date: Vol. 34, no. 4; Jan. 26, 1928 -- v. 45, no. 36; Sept. 7, 1939
- Publisher: Gentry, AR: Marion Wasson
- Frequency: Weekly
- Unites: Benton County Gazette; Journal-Advance, Gentry, AR: 1922
- Absorbed: Decatur Herald, Decatur, AR: 1910
- Continued by: Journal-Advance, Gentry, AR: 1939
- Call Number: F419.G45 G45
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1928:1:26-1929:6:27; 19930:2:5-1939:9:7
Gravette
- The Gravett News
- Publication date: Vol. 1, no. 1; Sept. 22, 1894 -- v. 15, no. 14; Dec. 11, 1908
- Publisher: Gravett, AR: A.C. Veach
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Gravette News-Herald
- Call Number: F419.G72 G7
- Library Holdings: Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1894:9:22-1899:2:25; 19902:5:9; 19908:2:21-12:11
- Notes: Published as: Gravette News, Feb. 21 -- Dec. 11, 1908
- The Gravette News-Herald
- Publication date: Vol. 15, no. 15; Dec. 18, 1908 -- v. 20, no. 17 Dec. 26, 1913; 20th year, no. 18 Jan 2, 1914
- Publisher: Gravette, Benton County, AR: Herb Lewis
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Gravett News
- Call Number: F419.G72 G7
- Library Holdings:Scattered issues wanting. Microfilm= 1908:12:18-1925:7:3; 19931:5:29, 6:11, 7:9,23, 8:20, 9:3-17, 10:8, 11:5-19, 12:3; 19932:1:29, 2:12-6:24, 7:1, 8:12, 9:30, 10:14-28, 11:18-12:30; 19933:1:6-2:24, 4:28-7:21, 9:1-29, 10:20, 11:3-12:29; 19934:1:4-1938:8:5; 19939:12:22; 19948:12:2-30; 19949:1:20-7:28, 10:6-13,27; 19957:8:8; 19959:10:15-1961:3:23; 19964:2:12-1974:5:22
Maysville
- Maysville Tribune
- Publication date: Began with Mar. 6, 1969 issue. Ceased in 1970
- Publisher: Maysville, Benton County, AR: Dewey Taft
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Ozarks Pioneer
- Call Number: Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1
- Library Holdings: Microfilmed from reprints in the Shiloh Museum. Microfilm= 1969:7:3, 10:9
- The Ozarks Pioneer
- Publication date: Began in 1970. Ceased with May 29, 1975 issue
- Publisher: Maysville, AR: Marion Reed
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continues: Maysville Tribune
- Call Number: Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1
- Library Holdings: PER: Microfilmed from originals in Siloam Springs Museum. Microfilm= 1971:6:17-24
Monte Ne
- The Liberty Bell
- Publication date: Vol. 1, no. 1 (Dec. 1931)- Ceased in 1935
- Publisher: Monte Ne, AR: Mundus Pub. Co.
- Frequency: Monthly
- Call Number: F417.C4 M5 Reel 5
- Library Holdings: For Oct. 1933 and Dec. 1934, see Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1. For Apr. and Dec. 1934, see Film 839, Addendum 4. Microfilm= 19931:12; 19932:3-12; 19933:1-4, 6, 10-12; 19934:2, 4-5, 12; 19935:4, 6:12
- Notes: Editor: W.H. "Coin" Harvey, June, 1933-1935.
Suspended with June 12, 1935 issue.
"This is the only official paper of the National Committee [of the Liberty party]."
- The Palladium
- Publication date: Began Mar. 1, 1921
- Publisher: Monte Ne, AR: W.H. Harvey
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Call Number: F417.B4 M5
- Library Holdings: 19925:4
Pea Ridge
- The Pea Ridge Pod
- Publication date: Began in 1913. Ceased in 1916?
- Publisher: Pea Ridge, AR: W.F. Beck
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F419.P422 P4, Mr 5 1914-S 23 1915; F417.C4 M5, Reel 5
- Library Holdings: Microfilm= 1914:3:5; 19915:7:22-8:12, 9:23
- The Arkansas Eagle
- Publication date: Vol. 1, no. 1; July 19, 1932
- Publisher: Pea Ridge, AR: J.C. Propp
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F417.C4 M5
- Library Holdings: Microfilmed from originals in the Rogers Historical Museum. Microfilm= 1932:7:19-25
- Notes: Alternate title: Pea Ridge Eagle
- Pea Ridge Argus
- Publication date: Vol. 1, no. 1 July 26, 1961
- Publisher: Pea Ridge, AR: Edward Bailey
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F417.C4 M5
- Library Holdings: 19961:7:26
- Pea Ridge Graphic
- Publication date: Vol. 1, no. 1 Jan. 6, 1966 -- v.2, no. 4 Jan. 26, 1967, 2nd year, no. 5 Feb. 2, 1967, 7th year, no. 48 Nov. 30, 1972
- Publisher: Pea Ridge, AR: Tri-State Publisher, Inc.
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Cave Springs Scene, Pea Ridge Graphic Scene
- Call Number: F417.B4 M5
- Library Holdings: 19970:3:5
Rogers
- The Rogers Champion
- Publication date: Began in 1881
- Publisher: Rogers, AR: D.W. Hinman
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: Film 1102 Reel 2
- Library Holdings: Microfilm= 1882:6:9
- The Rogers Republican
- Publication date: Began in 1888. Ceased in 1909.
- Publisher: Rogers, AR: Warner & Honeywell
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Rogers Journal; Rogers Republican-Journal
- Call Number: F417.C4 M5 Reel 5
- Library Holdings: For Oct. 2, 1903, see Film 839, Addendum 5, Reel 1. For Apr. 7, 1905, see Film 839, Addendum 6. Microfilm= 1888:6:14; 1889:1:10; 1899:3:31, 8:18; 19903:10:2; 19905:4:7, 5:26
- Cain's Thomas Cat
- Publication date: Began in 1897?
- Publisher: Rogers, AR: Lee E. Cain
- Frequency: Undetermined
- Call Number: F417.B4 M5
- Library Holdings: 1898:5:7
- Note: Motto: "With one hand we sling ink in the interest of our country, while with the other we endeavor to hold up our pants."
- The People's Friend
- Publication date: Began in 1909. Ceased in 1916
- Publisher: Rogers, AR: A.M. Merrill
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F417.C4 M5
- Library Holdings: 19915:1:20>
- The Co-operative Press
- Publication date: Began in 1912. Ceased in 1920.
- Publisher: Rogers, AR: J.M. McClelland
- Frequency: Weekly
- Call Number: F419.R6 C6
- Library Holdings: For Jan. 31, 1913, see Microfilm F417.B4M5. For Feb. 15, 1918, see Microfilm F417.C4 M5. Microfilm= 1913:1:31; 19914:2:6-1916:12:8; 19916:12:22-1917:2:9; 19917:2:23-12:21; 19918:2:15
Siloam Springs
- Arkansas Herald
- Publication date: Began in 1883.
- Publisher: Siloam Springs, AR: Z. Abernathy & E.M. Dewey
- Frequency: Weekly
- Continued by: Locomotive; Locomotive Herald
- Call Number: Film 1102 Reel 2
- Library Holdings: For July 9, 1885, see Film 839 Addendum 5, Reel 1. Microfilm= 1884:6:5; 1885:7:9
