Bella Vista, located in the southwest corner of the Ozark Mountains, was originally founded in the valley of Little Sugar Creek. It is a place of great natural beauty and abundant resources. First used by Native Americans as a hunting and fishing ground, the area remained sparsely settled until after the Civil War. By 1915, this beautiful valley was seen as a perfect spot for a recreational resort community. In 1917, Bella Vista was purchased by the Linebarger brothers, who created one of the nation's premier resorts. In 1963, Cooper Communities expanded the resort into a full-time recreational retirement community, adding lakes, golf courses, and other facilities. Today, Bella Vista is a city of over 30,000 people from all over North America.