The city was founded as a stop on the St. Louis and San Francisco (Frisco) Railroad and developed as a shipping point for apples and as a trade center for the surrounding rural area. After World War II, agriculture remained important, but business leaders also began a successful effort to recruit light industry. Rogers and Northwest Arkansas have experienced major economic and population growth since 1990. The area attracts business and investment from all over the country. Much of the economic success has come with help from Wal-Mart, which has its international headquarters in Bentonville. The site of the original Wal-Mart is in Rogers.
Recreational attractions include Beaver Lake and the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, both east of Rogers. The nearby historical Civil War battlefield, Pea Ridge National Military Park, attracts many tourists, as does the Rogers Historical Museum, the Daisy Airgun Museum, and the Rogers Little Theater. Rogers is also home to Pinnacle Golf Course, which hosts professional and amateur golf tournaments throughout the year.
Rogers Profile
Population: 48,353
Mayor: Steve Womack
Ethnic Groups: 86% Caucasian, 12% Hispanic, 1% Native American, 1% Asian