For much of the twentieth century, Arthur “Rabbit” Dickerson was a familiar and welcoming presence on Bentonville’s downtown square. Day after day, he polished shoes, greeted passersby, and offered conversation alongside careful work. His shoeshine stand was more than a business; it was a place where people gathered, shared news, and felt known.
Alongside his wife, Cinco Dickerson, Rabbit helped shape the social fabric of Bentonville through steady service, generosity, and a deep commitment to the community they called home.
Rabbit was born in Bentonville on April 9, 1896, to parents and grandparents who had settled in the area after the end of slavery. He attended the local Black school through eighth grade and earned his lifelong nickname early on, later explaining that he was called “Rabbit” because he ran errands so quickly. At the age of seven, a photograph of young Rabbit holding a pile of Arkansas Black apples won a blue ribbon at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The image was later used in calendars and agricultural promotions, introducing Bentonville to a national audience.
After leaving school to work, Rabbit held several jobs, including helping open the town’s first gasoline service station. He also served in World War I, training at Camp Pike in North Little Rock before spending time overseas in France. When he returned home in 1919, Rabbit focused on building a life grounded in work, reliability, and connection.
In 1924, Rabbit purchased his cousin’s shoeshine stand and opened his own business on the square. His stand moved as Bentonville evolved, from early locations near the courthouse to the Royal Theater, the Plaza Theater (later the Meteor Theater), and finally to 206 North Main Street. His role in the community, however, remained constant. For 52 years, Rabbit shined shoes for people from all walks of life. He charged a dime when he first started, later raising the price modestly while keeping his service accessible.
What drew people back, however, was not just the shine. Rabbit was known for his warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others. His motto—“Sun shines part of the time, Rabbit shines all the time!”—captured both his work ethic and his belief in showing up consistently for his neighbors.
While Rabbit worked downtown, his wife was building community through education. Cinco Crawley was born in Fort Smith on October 20, 1900, and moved to Bentonville in 1920 to teach at the “Colored School.” She and Rabbit were married in 1922. During her years in the classroom, she helped organize a Parent Teacher Association and led fundraising efforts for a school building and playground. The school also served as a church and community gathering space, and Cinco played an essential role in sustaining that space through years of change. She taught until local schools were integrated in 1955, helping guide students through a significant transition.
When the Colored School closed, Cinco continued to work and eventually spent nearly three decades employed at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Her dedication to service did not diminish with changing circumstances; it simply took new forms.
Arthur and Cinco were married for 56 years and were active members of the Nazarene Church. Together, they were widely known and respected throughout Bentonville. Their leadership was not formal or showy, but steady and relational. They embodied a kind of community spirit rooted in presence: being there year after year, caring for people, and contributing in practical, meaningful ways.
In 1977, Rabbit was named the first “Man of the Year” by the Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce, an honor that now carries his name. He retired later that year at age 81, joking that he would have to change his slogan to “Rabbit shines none of the time.” He passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy shaped by kindness, dignity, and connection.
Rabbit and Cinco Dickerson’s lives remind us that community is built through daily acts of service, care, and consistency. Their story continues to shine in Bentonville because of how they showed up, year after year, for the place and the people they loved.
Those interested in learning more can also visit the Bentonville History Museum, where an updated exhibit honoring Rabbit Dickerson will be on view by the end of February.
Explore more of Bentonville’s history at the Bentonville History Museum, where new exhibit upgrades and expanded storytelling are underway. This February, the museum will also launch its 2026 Discover Bentonville weekend series, inviting visitors to experience the city’s history through talks, tours, and special programs with local partners. Follow the museum on social media to stay up to date on upcoming exhibits and events!
